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Jockey Club pledges increased support for healthcare and elderly services in response to the pandemic
28/03/2022
In a further response to the latest wave of the pandemic, The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced today (28 March) that it is providing additional support for healthcare and elderly services. This includes the launch of the Jockey Club Affordable Outpatient Services Subsidy Scheme for non-COVID-19 patients; support for the opening of isolation facilities at CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) for COVID-19 patients referred from public hospitals; and the expansion of the Jockey Club Support Project for the Elderly under COVID-19. With public health services stretched, the above support will help vulnerable individuals and families get access to the healthcare and elderly services they need.
In total, and on top of its existing support for the community, the Club’s Charities Trust has approved over HK$1.7 billion over the past two years to address the impact of the pandemic. Adopting a ‘speedy’, ‘targeted’ and ‘innovative’ approach, the Club has supported over 1,000 NGOs, community organisations and private care homes and facilities. Cumulatively over three million people have benefited. Please refer to the appendix for highlights.
“The latest wave of pandemic has placed an enormous burden on the city’s medical and healthcare system. True to the Club’s commitment to the betterment of our society, we have mobilised our resources to help medical professionals as well as those most affected by the pandemic. We pay heartfelt tribute to all medical professionals who are helping in the fight against COVID-19 in Hong Kong,” said Philip Chen, Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Jockey Club Affordable Outpatient Services Subsidy Scheme
With many General Out-patient Clinics of the Hospital Authority being converted to designated COVID-19 clinics or suspending their services, the Jockey Club Affordable Outpatient Services Subsidy Scheme aims to provide affordable outpatient services to eligible non-COVID-19 patients in non-profit-making and private clinics. This will enable those who cannot afford private outpatient services to continue getting access to diagnosis and treatment. The scheme will last for three months starting from 24 March 2022, with approximately 33,000 eligible patients benefiting.
Under the Scheme, five NGOs, namely the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, Christian Family Service Centre, Pok Oi Hospital, Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon and Aberdeen Kai-Fong Welfare Association have engaged non-profit-making and private clinics to offer affordable outpatient services. Eligible persons can receive a medical consultation and basic medication for three days for a fee of HK$50. The Club’s Charities Trust will provide a subsidy of HK$250 for each patient, with the remaining costs to be covered by the clinics. Further details are in the attached fact sheet.
Designated isolation facilities at CUHK Medical Centre
Officially opened in September 2021, CUHKMC is a non-profit, private teaching hospital constructed with the support of the Club’s largest single donation to medical services. In response to the pandemic, the Club approved additional funding for CUHKMC to install negative pressure rooms, enhance ventilation systems and other facilities to meet the required standards for infection control and clinical care. In March 2022, CUHKMC obtained approval from the authority to open a designated isolation facility for COVID-19 patients referred from public hospitals.
Jockey Club Support Project for the Elderly under COVID-19
The Club has extended the Jockey Club Support Project for the Elderly under COVID-19 for another 24-months, at the same time expanding its scope to include other vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities living with ageing parents, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 10,000 people.
The project is run in collaboration with six NGOs, including the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, Aberdeen Kai-Fong Welfare Association, Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association, Christian Family Service Centre, St. James’ Settlement and Haven of Hope Christian Service. It aims to help vulnerable groups navigate the impact of COVID-19 on their daily lives by offering telecare services; attending to their daily needs, such as providing out-patient escort services and delivering daily necessities; as well as providing medical and health support services.
The Club’s support for these programmes, like all of its charity donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate tax and charity support for the community.
