Li charity gets hearty thanks for saving lives

Wallis Wang

More than 100 cardiac patients have benefited from a Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital subsidy scheme, made possible by a generous HK$30 million donation from the Li Ka Shing Foundation.

The Transcatheter Cardiovascular Interventions Subsidy Scheme, launched by the hospital's cardiology center in 2018, offers vital financial assistance to patients in need of procedures related to heart diseases, including those suffering from blocked coronary arteries.

Under the scheme, the foundation covers surgery costs, while the hospital and doctors reduce hospital and consultation charges.

Over the past six years, the scheme has received HK$30 million in support of more than 100 patients.

Each patient received subsidies ranging from HK$180,000 to HK$500,000, depending on the procedures performed.

HKSH Medical Group chief executive Walton Li Wai-tat expressed gratitude to the foundation, saying patients facing difficulties were able to get advanced treatments at HKSH thanks to these subsidies.

A notable example is 67-year-old Yeung, who was diagnosed with heart murmurs years ago.

He experienced increasing shortness of breath and a decreasing capacity to exercise, with his condition worsening despite medication. Even mild activities, such as climbing stairs, caused severe discomfort.

After a comprehensive assessment at the cardiology center, he was diagnosed with severe aortic valve stenosis and got HK$500,000 in subsidies for surgery.

Yeung said: "My quality of life significantly improved a year after that. I can now climb stairs and even go hiking with ease.

"I might have missed the opportunity for treatment if I had to bear the full costs.

"This subsidy scheme has provided timely assistance to many cardiac patients in need and restored our health."

The hospital announced that applications for the subsidy scheme will continue this year.