With his wealth of experience and connections in the healthcare and commercial sectors, Mr John Lee, Chairman of the HKCH Hospital Governing Committee has been leading the hospital since its inception. He has a clear vision for the hospital's future development.

Concerted effort brings good results

Mr Lee is most impressed by the devotion of the colleagues who commissioned the hospital's services. "At the beginning, there were not many facilities in the Kai Tak area. Even coming to work and getting something to eat was an issue. But our staff had a common goal to provide a better healthcare for our next generation. They overcame so many barriers in procurement, service translocation and integration, as well as cross hospitals and specialties collaboration."

Mr Lee particularly admires the young doctors for walking extra miles, "They bring in good practices from their previous hospitals. They also take the opportunity to rectify some of the service gaps in the past to create a better patient experience."

He is also pleased to see the hospital's increasing reputation. "There were doubts about the HKCH before. Over the past four years, we have achieved satisfactory progress and earned the recognition of patients and parents. Private doctors also understand our function and refer patients to us."

▲Chaired by Mr John Lee, the Hospital Governing Committee comprises of members with vast experience in healthcare, management, academia, community participation and fundraising (Members Mr Patrick Ma and Prof. Grace Tang are not pictured due to other engagements on the phototaking day).

▲Mr John Lee visits the hospital to learn about its operation and staff needs.

Talent exchange is key

Mr Lee pointed out, "Hong Kong's population is not big enough to accumulate complex cases. To become a centre of excellence, we need to learn from international and Mainland counterparts. I always encourage colleagues to join international conferences. Even under the pandemic, they can still interact with professionals from afar virtually." He also hopes to invite world class experts to HKCH to share their knowledge and skills.

He suggested a more systematic approach, "The hospital could set up a designated department to coordinate staff exchange and training activities. It will serve as the official channel to liaise with other hospitals, instead of relying on individual clinical teams' connections. Communication would be more effective this way, and we would not miss some valuable opportunities."

As for research, Mr Lee believes the hospital should continue to complement the two universities and participate in different projects and international studies at the present stage. From these, colleagues could accumulate experience and further their professional developments. "When talents and resources are available, we hope the hospital would be able to take a leading role in paediatric research. When that time comes, we should focus on research projects with real significance, rather than repeating what others are already doing."

▲Promoting medical research is one of the uses of donation funds. An example is The D. H. Chen Foundation Clinical Research Fellowship Program which offers frontline doctors time and resources to conduct research. One of the fellows is introducing his research project to the representatives of The D. H. Chen Foundation, Growth Partner and Funder of the Fellowship Program.

Donations make powerful impact

The HKCH Charitable Foundation was established in 2019. It aims to enhance patient service and experience, promote medical research, and support staff training and well-being. Mr Lee also chairs its Board of Trustees. He revealed, "Despite the economic downturn, many big enterprises still ask me what they could do to help the hospital. However, I am a pragmatic person. I prefer making fundraising appeals when there are actual projects on hand. Philanthropists also wish to make a direct impact with their donation."

He foresees the Foundation could do much more, "It is my wish to support the hospital in organising an international conference every year on the latest advances in paediatrics. Every staff could participate in this annual signature event. This will definitely boost staff morale and engagement."

▲Thanks to donors' support, HKCH is able to arrange a wide range of activities and distribute presents to patients. The joy and warmth could help them stay positive in the face of tough treatments.

Special diet sponsorship programme

Mr Lee has helped to line up some major donations. One of them is designated to support patients with financial difficulties to purchase therapeutic diet.

Children with inborn errors of metabolism cannot break down certain components in food such as protein. This causes toxins to accumulate in their bodies, which may damage the brain and other organs. Therefore, they require long-term special diet for growth, disease control, and preventing complications. Since these special formulae are not covered by the standard hospital fees, patients are required to pay for themselves.

9-year-old Waheed is one of the beneficiaries of the sponsorship programme. He had his first disease onset at one month old, and his condition was very critical. His mom recalled, "The doctor said he might die. Luckily, he was stabilised after haemodialysis. He was then found to have Methylmalonic Acidaemia."

▲Waheed, a boy with inborn error of metabolism, together with his mother.

Waheed's dad was the breadwinner in the family but lost his job after an injury. "Waheed has been prescribed several formulae which he has to take seven times a day. We really couldn't afford the monthly cost of $6,000. He also kept having relapses and had to stay in the hospital for treatment," said Waheed's mom.

▲Waheed follows this timetable to take different types of special formula daily.

"One day, the nurse told us about the sponsorship programme. We were so thrilled. Waheed is already home now and can go back to school." She is grateful to the donor, "Waheed has been getting better in just two months. In the past, he would get tired after walking for just five minutes. Now he is full of energy. His intellectual development has improved as well."