Philippines among countries targeted in anti-diseases push

Cheng Wong

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and Institute of Philanthropy have donated nearly HK$15 million to support the development of primary health care in three countries.

The two charitable organizations, both established by the Jockey Club, cohosted a regional health and development conference under the theme of "Harnessing Technologies in an Age of AI to Build a Healthier World" in Bangkok from January 28 to Sunday.

The week-long conference brought together 18 United Nations agencies and philanthropic foundations to explore technology's role in improving health-care access for all.

At a special event on January 31, the institute announced a three-year pilot project with the World Health Organization to develop an end-to-end non-communicable disease control and management protocol in the Philippines, Tonga and Solomon Islands.

Dylan Lu, co-secretary-general of programs at the institute, said: "This donation clearly showcases our commitment to global health through collaboration with the WHO, together with the US$11.2 million (HK$87.36 million) funding pledge the institute made at the WHO investment round in May and October 2024."

Tran Thi Giang Huong, director of the division of programs for disease control at the WHO's regional office for the western Pacific, said: "The launch of this NCD pilot project aims to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with NCDs in vulnerable countries, while at the same time illustrating an investment case for scaling up the end-to-end NCD control and management model in the whole western Pacific region."