Several years ago, Mr Lai suffered a mini-stroke that turned his daily life into a constant battle against physical discomfort. The transient ischemic attack left him with impaired mobility.
Collaborative care: Led by Chinese medicine practitioners alongside Western physicians and multi-disciplinary teams, the Special Disease Programmes offer tailored treatments to meet patient needs. Image source: www.news.gov.hk
Severe neck and shoulder pain, combined with hand numbness, quickly consumed his evenings. What began as a recovery process soon evolved into a cycle of sleeplessness.
The relentless discomfort eventually prompted him to seek help at the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong.
“Previously, I could not sleep because of the pain. It was unbearable. I do not even know how to describe it,” Mr Lai, now 67, recalled. “Painkillers did not help at all.”
”After receiving a series of treatments here, that is no longer the case. Now, only my fingers are less flexible, and I still find it difficult to raise my hand.”
His experience highlights a key milestone for local healthcare as the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong prepares to launch its first batch of comprehensive treatment services by combining practitioner-led Chinese medicine with modern Western medical support.
Integrated care
Mr Lai’s recovery plan pairs traditional therapies – such as herbal fumigation to enhance the effects of acupuncture, cupping and tui-na – with modern physiotherapy.
Operating under a Chinese medicine-led model supported by Western medicine, the hospital relies on physiotherapists and nursing teams to actively track patient progress to make timely adjustments to treatment plans.
Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong Deputy Hospital Chief Executive (Chinese Medicine) Cheung Chun-hoi said Mr Lai initially suffered from impaired hand mobility and an unsteady gait.
Following targeted treatments using acupuncture, tui-na and herbal fumigation, his condition noticeably improved, he noted.
“He can walk more stably and for longer, and do some exercise. We are now focusing on improving his hand function,” Mr Cheung noted.
“His shoulder pain has been treated and he can move around already.”
Preparations underway: Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong Deputy Hospital Chief Executive (Chinese Medicine) Cheung Chun-hoi says the hospital plans to phase in 24-hour inpatient services starting in December, with preparations progressing steadily. Image source: www.news.gov.hk
Specialised programmes
To meet growing local demand, the hospital will provide its first batch of comprehensive treatment services to patients under its Special Disease Programmes on July 27.
The first phase will prioritise post-stroke care and lower back pain management.
Mr Cheung explained that these Chinese medicine practitioner-led programmes deliver multidisciplinary treatment.
“We perform a lot of Chinese medicine treatments that can be different from outside clinics or outside society, including acupuncture, fumigation treatment, moxibustion and tui-na,” he said.
Moxibustion is a therapy that involves burning dried herbs on or near specific acupuncture points to promote blood circulation and stimulate the flow of energy to relieve pain.
Under this care continuity framework, Chinese medicine practitioners conduct joint consultations with Western physicians, while dedicated nurse case managers co-ordinate cross-disciplinary follow-ups for each patient.
The hospital said that it will launch about 12 of its 23 targeted specific disease programmes within the first year.
Future expansion
Meanwhile, 24-hour inpatient services are scheduled to roll out in phases starting in December.
Mr Cheung noted that some cases may eventually extend from outpatient and day-patient services to 24-hour inpatient care in the future.
To support the expansion, the hospital is actively building its workforce, drawing about 1,500 job seekers at a two-day job fair in early May.
Mr Cheung added that partnerships with some Mainland Chinese medicine hospitals will allow renowned practitioners and masters to conduct short-term and long-term teaching and training in Hong Kong.
