Sphere No.45 (Sep 2018)

hile the poorest of the poor in Hong Kong qualify for government subsidy for medical procedures, some exist on the border of eligibility where accessing the best medical care poses significant financial and emotional hardship. Through a new programme, “Love Can Help”, the Li Ka Shing Foundation (LKSF) will provide HK$100 million, to, as Mr Li puts it, help “a friend in need”. The Foundation’s – and Mr Li’s – commitment has been manifest for decades. In his early life, education and healthcare were not forthcoming. His commitment, DONNING NEW ARMOUR: TO FIGHT ILL HEALTH! As Mr Li Ka-shing plans to be “suiting up in a new coat of armour, working to effect positive change through [his] Foundation’s philanthropic work in health, education and the relief of suffering”, love will be his sword. And the first challenge he will tackle is that of ill health in Hong Kong. HEALTHCARE W to help 2,000 people at risk of cancer to receive PET-CT scans. A contribution of HK$20 million to subsidise PCI Stents will enable 4,000 patients to benefit each year. After mid-2020, some will receive these scans at a new PET-CT centre funded with a HK$35 million grant, and catering for over 1,900 people a year once completed. Beyond detection, the teaching hospitals of the two local universities will use grants to help patients gain access to novel drugs or medical devices. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) will also receive HK$17.5 million to help patients suffering from autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease, acute severe ulcerative colitis or disabling autoimmune encephalitis. The University of Hong Kong (HKU) will receive the same amount to help patients with cancer as well as patients with other chronic and autoimmune diseases that do not respond to traditional treatments. ARMEDWITH LOVE LKSF will benefit from the additional time and effort Mr Li will bring to its mission to “inspire societal improvement through supporting education and healthcare initiatives”. Fully focused, fully armoured and armed with love, Mr Li and the Foundation carry on! SPHERE #45 2018 24 PHILANTHROPY FOCUS after leaving the role of Chairman of the CK Group, has not wavered, but is driving his increased involvement in contributing to education and healthcare initiatives. The “Love Can Help” programme is just the first in his ‘post-Chair’ phase of life. The funds will provide cash subsidies for those in need, much of it through Hong Kong’s main healthcare provider, the Hospital Authority (HA), as well as through the city’s two medical schools. CONQUERING CANCER AND BEYOND Under the “Love Can Help” programme, the HA will receive HK$10 million designed Mr Li Ka-shing (second from right) initiates the “Love Can Help” programme to offer financial assistance to Hong Kong patients through the HA and two local universities. From right, Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU; HA Chairman Professor John Leong; Professor Rocky Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK; Professor Fok Tai-fai, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President of CUHK; Professor Gabriel Leung, Dean of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of HKU, and Dr Leung Pak-yin, Chief Executive of the HA.