Press Releases

There are many challenges facing Hong Kong’s public healthcare system. Demand for services is high, and the system is constantly overloaded. Also, there are patients fall outside the existing medical assistance safety nets.

 

In view of the situation, the Chest set up The Community Chest Medical Assistance Fund (MAF) with HK$50 million drawn from the donation reserve in 2022/2023. Rolled out in phases, the MAF targets beneficiaries who are not eligible to receive assistance from the existing public and private medical assistance schemes.

 

The key details of the MAF are as follows:

- It began operations on 1 April 2022, running for three years.

- The first phase covers three designated groups: patients with kidney disease who need peritoneal dialysis at home, young diabetic patients who are under 16 years old and youth from underprivileged families with mental health issues.

- The relevant treatment and care, and the processing of applications, are handled by designated member agencies of the Chest. This is to ensure that assistance will be given to patients with genuine needs. Details can be found on the Chest website: www.commchest.org/MedicalFund/index.html.

 

Dr John Chan, Chairman of the Chest’s Executive Committee, said: “The Community Chest has always been proactive in responding to pressing needs in the community and filling social welfare gaps. The Medical Assistance Fund will provide effective and suitable assistance to the designated patients. Not only will this enhance the patients’ quality of care but also share their burdens.”

 

The Chest appeals to corporate and individual donors to make donations to support those in need through The Community Chest Medical Assistance Fund.

 

Donation Methods:

 

 

-End-

 

Targeted beneficiary	Supported Service	Member Agency	Scope of Service
Patients with kidney disease who need peritoneal dialysis at home	Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD) machine free loaning programme	Hong Kong Kidney Foundation Limited	The Chest supports the member agency to purchase new APD machines and loan them to low-income patients with end-stage kidney disease free of charge, especially those who are studying or working full time.
Under 16 years old children and youth patients with diabetes	To support pediatric diabetic patients using Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)	Youth Diabetes Action	The Chest provides CGMs to patients below the age of 16 from disadvantaged families to help them monitor their blood glucose levels.
Youth from underprivileged families with mental health issues	Adolescent mental health early assessment service	Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service   Hong Kong Children and Youth Services	The Chest supports two member agencies providing early intervention mental health services with either a psychiatrist, a clinical psychologist or a counsellor. Together with prescription drugs, this provides patients with access to timely and appropriate mental health assessment and treatment.