The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust today (20 October) shared experiences and insights from nearly three decades of support for healthy ageing at a high-level technical convening held alongside the 77th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for the Western Pacific. The convening brought together government representatives, experts and partner organisations to explore how communities can better support older adults to maintain their health, independence and functional ability as populations age.
Recognising the implications of population ageing since the late 1990s, the Trust has pioneered over 60 healthy ageing-related projects and approved nearly HK$4 billion in funding. Spanning dementia care, mental wellbeing, chronic disease management, medication management, mobility enhancement and gerontechnology, these initiatives help older adults remain healthy, active and connected to their communities while contributing to the sustainable development of Hong Kong's health and social care services.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO (first left); Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, Regional Director, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (first right); Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (second left); and Professor Ruby Yu, Associate Professor, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (second right).
At the technical convening, titled “From Commitment to Action: Advancing Healthy Ageing in the Western Pacific through Partnership, Innovation and Investment”, Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, joined regional leaders and experts to discuss practical approaches to strengthening health systems and community-based support for older adults. Participants shared country experiences and lessons learned, and explored opportunities for regional learning, technical exchange and future collaboration.
The Trust’s support for The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in advancing healthy ageing through a wide variety of evidence-based and community-based projects was also shared at the convening, including the Trust-initiated Jockey Club Community eHealth Community Care Project and the Jockey Club Age-friendly City Project.
Beneficiaries take part in a healthy ageing activity supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Over nearly three decades, the Trust has supported a wide range of initiatives that promote older adults’ health, functional ability, independence and connection with the community.
The Trust will continue supporting healthy ageing, with the aim of addressing health inequality, said Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club. It will also pioneer a client-centred approach that empowers community partners to support older adults’ functional ability with a view to reducing disease burdens. We look forward to sharing Hong Kong, China’s experience, learning from friends and colleagues, and strengthening partnerships with the WHO and regional stakeholders to advance health-system transformation for healthy ageing.
The Club’s support for healthy ageing initiatives, like all of its charity and community initiatives, is made possible by its unique value creation model, through which the Club generates sustainable economic and social value for the community through tax contributions, charitable donations and employment opportunities.
