HKUMed Successfully holds ‘Interdisciplinary and Composite Talents in Medicine, Disease Prevention and Control, and Management Training Programme'

Under the auspices of the National Health Commission (NHC), the inaugural ‘Interdisciplinary and Composite Talents in Medicine, Disease Prevention and Control, and Management Training Programme', organised by the School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), concluded successfully after three weeks of intensive training. This initiative was made possible through a generous donation from the Institute of Philanthropy Medical and Health Scholarship-cum-Fellowship for Top Talent in the Mainland.

The inaugural ‘Interdisciplinary and Composite Talents in Medicine, Disease Prevention and Control, and Management Training Programme’, organised by the School of Public Health, HKUMed, concluded successfully after three weeks of intensive training

The inaugural training programme brought together 24 participants from the NHC, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, and other directly affiliated and related organisations. The programme featured 52 experts from various departments and disciplines at HKU, as well as international organisations and non-governmental organisations, who participated in both in-person and online teaching sessions. The participants engaged in in-depth discussions in three key areas: Hong Kong's healthcare system and global health governance, medical regulation and public health talent development, and emerging medical technologies and international collaboration trends. It provided participants with comprehensive expertise while facilitating the exchange of innovative ideas and cross-disciplinary knowledge in healthcare leadership.

The School was honoured to welcome Mr Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), former Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (HKSAR), and Chairman of the GX Foundation, for an Exchange Session at HKU. Mr Leung shared the GX Foundation's mission, objectives, and achievements in delivering international humanitarian aid across eight Belt and Road countries. He emphasised, ‘As Chinese people, we now have the capacity to extend our reach globally with the spirit of connectivity and shared prosperity, working together to build a global community of health for all.' His vision deeply inspired all participants. Mr Lester Huang, Chairman of the Institute of Philanthropy, also attended the event, engaging with participants and sharing his perspectives on philanthropy and leadership, further reinforcing the programme's mission to cultivate well-rounded professionals equipped to address global health challenges.

Mr Leung Chun-ying, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, former Chief Executive of the HKSAR, and Chairman of the GX Foundation, participated in the Exchange Session at HKU

Professor Lo Chung-mau, Secretary for Health of the Government of the HKSAR, officiated at the opening ceremony and delivered the welcome remarks. Led by Professor Vivian Lin Kwang-wen, Honorary Professor in the School of Public Health of HKUMed and former Director of Health Systems for the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Western Pacific Regional Office, renowned health and medical experts were brought together from around the world to provide participants with comprehensive knowledge and expand their horizons. Distinguished guest speakers were Dr Margaret Chan, Founding Dean of the Vanke School of Public Health of Tsinghua University and Emeritus Director-General of the WHO; Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee, Senior Advisor of the HKU President's Office, Professor and Director of the HKU Primary Health Care Academy, Professor in the School of Public Health of HKUMed, and former Secretary for Food and Health of the Government of the HKSAR; Professor Kenneth Cheung Man-chee, Hospital Chief Executive of the HKU-Shenzhen Hospital; Professor Gong Peng, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development) of HKU; Dr Tony Ko, former Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority of the Government of the HKSAR; Dr Ronald Lam, Director of Health of the Government of the HKSAR; Professor Philip Li Kam-tao, President of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine; Dr Donald Li Kwok-tung, Chairman of the Elderly Commission, Labour and Welfare Bureau of the Government of the HKSAR; Professor Patrick Nip Tak-kuen, Adjunct Professor of the Department of Politics and Public Administration at HKU and former Secretary for the Civil Service of the Government of the HKSAR; and Dr Pang Fei-chau, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Primary Healthcare Commission of the Health Bureau of the Government of the HKSAR.

Professor Lo Chung-mau, Secretary for Health of the Government of the HKSAR, officiated at the opening ceremony of the programme and delivered the welcome remarks

Participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the unique features and strengths of Hong Kong's healthcare system through in-depth analysis by esteemed experts. Beyond theoretical learning, they actively participated in thematic lectures, case-based discussions, and field visits to a diverse range of healthcare institutions, such as Castle Peak Hospital, the HKBU Chinese Medicine Hospital Office, Gleneagles Hospital, GX Foundation, H.K.S.K.H. St. Luke's Settlement Neighbourhood Elderly Centre, the HKUMed Community Pharmacy, Hong Kong St. John Ambulance, and the Kwai Tsing District Health Centre. These immersive experiences allowed the participants to gain a better understanding of Hong Kong's healthcare system and translate theoretical knowledge into practical applications. Through this enriching learning and hands-on exposure, the participants reinforced their professional knowledge and enhanced their practical skills and service capabilities, laying a solid foundation for their future development and application in the healthcare field.

To celebrate HKU's longstanding academic tradition, a Farewell and Thanksgiving Dinner was held at St. John's College. The following day, a certificate presentation ceremony was held at The Hong Kong Jockey Club, where remarks were delivered by Ms Li Wei, Deputy Director-General of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan of the NHC; Dr Gabriel Leung, Director of the Institute of Philanthropy; and Professor Lau Chak-sing, Vice-President & Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health) and Dean of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong. Certificates of completion were presented to all participants by Professor Lau; Mr Fang Jianning, Deputy Director-General (Acting Chief) of the Health Human Resources Development Center of the NHC; and Mr Dylan Lu, Chief Mainland Representative of the Institute of Philanthropy, bringing the programme to a meaningful conclusion.

To celebrate HKU’s longstanding academic tradition, a Farewell and Thanksgiving Dinner was held at St. John’s College

The School of Public Health at HKUMed is confident that this training programme marks just the beginning of a fruitful collaboration. Future efforts will focus on deepening the partnership with the NHC through the establishment of a dedicated professional exchange platform. By sharing valuable insights and expertise, this initiative aims to foster renewed momentum in advancing the nation's public health initiatives.

A certificate presentation ceremony was held at The Hong Kong Jockey Club. VIPs in the front row (from left) are Mr Dylan Lu, Chief Mainland Representative of the Institute of Philanthropy; Dr Gabriel Leung, Director of the Institute of Philanthropy; Ms Li Wei, Deputy Director-General of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan of the National Health Commission (NHC); Mr Fang Jianning, Deputy Director-General (Acting Chief) of the Health Human Resources Development Center of the NHC; and Professor Lau Chak-sing, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health) and Dean of Medicine, HKU. Standing are the 24 participants in the inaugural training programme

Other Distinguished Guest Speakers of the Training Programme

Overseas Universities

• Dr Gerald Bloom, Research Fellow, Institute of Development Studies from the University of Sussex in the UK;

• Professor Harvey Fineberg, Emeritus Professor of Health Policy and Management from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health in the US;

• Professor Liang Zhanming, Associate Dean of Research Education, College of Business, Law and Governance at James Cook University in Australia; and

• Professor Martin McKee, Professor of European Public Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in the UK.

International Organisations

• Dr Cristian Baeza, Executive Directors of the International Center for Health Systems Strengthening and the Center for Healthy Development;

• Dr Genevieve Howse, Coordinator Legislation and Governance at WHO Western Pacific;

• Dr Liviu Vedrasco, WHO Representative to Kyrgyzstan;

• Dr Xu Huan, Technical Officer of the WHO's Health Workforce Department; and

• Dr Xu Ke, Senior WHO Health Financing and Expenditure Analyst.

Non-governmental Organisations

• Dr Fan Ning, Founder of Health In Action and former President of Médecins Sans Frontières Hong Kong;

• Dr Alex Ng, President of Tencent Healthcare; and

• Dr Wang Hong, Senior Policy Advisor of Health Economics, Financing, and System Strengthening of the Gates Foundation.

HKU

• Professor Vivian Lou Wei-qun, Director of the Sau Po Centre on Ageing and Professor of the Department of Social Work and Social Administration

HKUMed

• Professor Kyongtae Tyler Bae, Chairperson and Clinical Professor of the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, School of Clinical Medicine;

• Professor Carl Hildebrand, Assistant Professor of the Centre for Medical Ethics and Law;

• Professor Rina Hui Yee-man, Director and Clinical Professor at the Centre of Cancer Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine;

• Professor Kenny Kwan Yat-hong, Assistant Dean (MBBS Admissions) of HKUMed and Clinical Associate Professor of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Clinical Medicine;

• Professor Clara Lau Bik-san, Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy and the School of Chinese Medicine;

• Professor Gary Lau Kui-kai, Assistant Dean (Education Innovations) of HKUMed and Clinical Associate Professor of the Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine;

• Professor Pamela Lee Pui-wah, Assistant Dean (Clinical Curriculum) of HKUMed and Clinical Associate Professor of the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine;

• Professor Gilberto Leung Ka-kit, Senior Advisor (Teaching & Learning) of HKUMed, Director of the School of Clinical Medicine, and Clinical Professor of the Department of Surgery;

• Professor Leung Wai-keung, Chief Director of the Clinical Trials Centre and Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine of the School of Clinical Medicine;

• Professor Lin Chia-chin, Director of the School of Nursing;

• Professor Liu Pengtao, Managing Director of the InnoHK Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology and Professor in the School of Biomedical Sciences;

• Professor Simon Lui Sai-yu, Clinical Associate Professor of the Department of Psychiatry at the School of Clinical Medicine;

• Professor George Tipoe, Senior Advisor of the Bau Institute of Medical & Health Sciences Education and Associate Professor of the School of Biological Sciences;

• Professor Doris Yu Sau-fung, Associate Director of the Sau Po Centre on Ageing and Professor of the School of Nursing; and

• Professor Zhang Qingpeng, Associate Professor of the HKU Musketeers Foundation Institute of Data Science.

School of Public Health, HKUMed

• Professor David Bishai, Director and Clinical Professor;

• Honorary Professor Keiji Fukuda, Former Assistant Director-General of the WHO;

• Professor Dennis Ip Kai-ming, Clinical Associate Professor and Head of the Division of Community Medicine and Public Health Practice;

• Professor Lam Tai-hing, Emeritus Professor and Honorary Clinical Professor;

• Professor Wendy Lam Wing-tak, Associate Professor, Head of the Division of Behavioural Sciences, MPH Programme Director and Director of the University of Hong Kong Jockey Club Institute of Cancer Care;

• Professor Michael Y Ni, Clinical Associate Professor;

• Professor Željko Pedišić, Associate Professor;

• Professor Leo Poon Lit-man, Daniel C K Yu Professor in Virology, Chair Professor of Public Health Virology, Head of the Division of Public Health Laboratory Sciences and Associate Dean (Human Capital) of HKUMed;

• Dr Nason Tan Day-seng, Senior Lecturer and former Regional Operations Support Unit Director at Médecins Sans Frontières Hong Kong;

• Professor Tian Linwei, Associate Professor; and

• Professor Joseph Wu Tsz-kei, Sir Robert Kotewall Professor in Public Health.

A recent study led by the Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), in collaboration with the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, has demonstrated that combining an innovative coronary imaging technology known as the caFFR system, with diabetes drug SGLT2 inhibitors can significantly reduce the risks of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), heart failure and death among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary artery disease. This dual-pronged strategy provides a precise measurement of coronary blood flow while lowering glucose levels, offering an effective approach to treating exceptionally high-risk patients. The findings were published in the Diabetes and Metabolism Journal link to the publication.

caFFR images access coronary blood flow

Patients with T2DM commonly develop more complex and severe forms of coronary artery disease, often involving multiple narrowed or blocked arteries. This complexity makes it challenging for cardiologists to achieve 'complete revascularisation', where all significantly blocked arteries are fully opened to restore blood flow. Without detailed functional assessment, some blockages that appear mild on imaging but are functionally important may be overlooked. If these high-risk blockages are not identified, patients may be at risk of 'incomplete revascularisation' and experience persistent ischaemia despite treatment, ultimately increasing their long-term cardiac risk.

To address this challenge, Professor Yiu Kai-hang, Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed, led a research team to evaluate the use of the caFFR system, an innovative imaging technology that allows accurate measurement of coronary blood flow from standard angiogram images. This technique enables cardiologists to identify which arterial blockages are truly responsible for ischaemia, thus supporting more precise decision-making and the development of more effective interventional treatment strategies for high-risk patients.

Professor Yiu Kai-hang explains that the functional assessment using the caFFR system is crucial for achieving optimal revascularisation in diabetic patients. SGLT2 inhibitors offer robust cardiovascular protection and significantly improve survival outcomes, even in cases of incomplete revascularisation.

SGLT2 inhibitors provide powerful cardiac protection

The study analysed data from 671 patients with both T2DM and coronary artery disease who underwent angiogram imaging in public hospitals between 2014 and 2016. While complete revascularisation was achieved in some patients, many still had residual stenosis after undergoing the revascularisation procedure due to diffuse and complex diabetic atherosclerosis. Remarkably, for those with incomplete revascularisation, the use of SGLT2 inhibitors provided powerful vascular protecton. The three-year incidence of MACE was markedly reduced from 17.8% to 8.3%, while all-cause mortality dropped sharply from 16.3% to 6.3% over the same period.

HKUMed reveals that combining novel caFFR imaging technology with glucose lowering drug effectively protects the heart of diabetic patients. In the photo are Professor Yiu Kai-hang (left), who led the research, and his team member Dr Xuan Haochen.

'Our findings show that functional assessment using the caFFR system allows clinicians to accurately identify blockages that truly cause ischemia, which is crucial for achieving optimal revascularisation in diabetic patients,' said Professor Yiu Kai-hang. 'Moreover, even when complete revascularisation cannot be achieved, SGLT2 inhibitors offer robust cardiovascular protection, significantly improving survival outcomes. This dual approach represents a major step forward in managing heart disease among individuals with diabetes.'

The study underscores the complementary roles of precision interventional imaging and pharmacological therapy in improving outcomes for diabetic patients with coronary artery disease. By integrating caFFR-guided vascular reconstruction procedures with SGLT2 inhibitor therapy, clinicians can better tailor treatment to each patient's needs, offering both anatomical and metabolic protection for the heart.

Professor Yiu added, 'This study has importance implications for clinical practice. It demonstrates that even when structural risks in the blood vessels may persist, SGLT2 inhibitors provide a vital safety net, reducing future cardiovascular risks. The findings reinforce HKUMed's ongoing commitment to translating clinical innovation into better patient care.'

The study was led by Professor Yiu Kai-hang, Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, HKUMed, and conducted in collaboration with the University of Hong Kong–Shenzhen Hospital.