HKU stroke awareness program for domestic helpers kicks off

Judy Cui

The University of Hong Kong has initiated a program offering complimentary health assessments for over 100 foreign domestic helpers to enhance awareness regarding stroke prevention within the group.

Organized by a research team, HKU Stroke, the check-ups took place for the first time at the HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine campus.

Gary Lau Kui-kai, HKU Stroke director and clinical associate professor at HKUMed, said that approximately 220 domestic helpers aged 18 to 55 experience strokes annually.

He noted the societal benefits of educating domestic helpers on the significance of maintaining a "low-fat, low-sugar, and high-fiber" diet, given their significant role in caregiving within the community.

Meanwhile, Lau highlighted the lack of health checks or related educational seminars for helpers, adding that one helper was sent to Queen Mary Hospital after reporting consistently high blood pressure during the assessment.

The domestic helpers who participated voiced their concerns regarding stroke prevention and expressed a desire to modify their daily dietary and exercise habits. Furthermore, they indicated their intention to disseminate health information among their families.