Tung Wah Group of Hospitals

The inauguration ceremony of the Board of Directors 2009/2010 of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, the local charitable organization with 139 years of history, was held yesterday (2 April 2009) at the Assembly Hall of Tung Wah Hospital. In his inaugural speech Dr. LEE Sam Yuen, John, Chairman of Tung Wah, stated that with the employment market facing severe challenges posed by the economic downturn, Tung Wah will strengthen its employment support services for the needy. Government’s funding for Intensive Employment Assistance Programmes has been secured for launching the programmes in Shatin, Sham Shui Po, Yau Tsim Mong, Kowloon City and Eastern Districts. Training and employment matching services will be provided for 1,600 Comprehensive Social Security Assistance or near Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients while 200 job vacancies will be referred for follow up.

In addition, a 3-year “Building Community Wealth – Sham Shui Po Revitalizing Project” under the subvention of the Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged of the Social Welfare Department will be initiated to create job opportunities for women residing in the district like community nanny, community coach and community helpers, etc. Emergency food and commodity assistance will also be rendered to families-in-need through this project. To coincide with the redevelopment plan of TWGHs David Trench Home for the Elderly, employment opportunities will be created upon its commencement of construction works.

With government’s approval secured for the master redevelopment plan of Kwong Wah Hospital, the Group will collaborate closely with the Hospital Authority to review the services of the hospital and to prepare for the technical feasibility statement, phasing and decanting arrangements of the project. Apart from enhancing the western medical facilities, a new Chinese medicine building for providing Chinese medicine and collaboration of Chinese and western medicine is also envisaged. “Tung Wah being a major employer of local Chinese medicine graduates will collaborate with the Hospital Authority and other professional bodies on devising a specialist Chinese Medicine Practitioner training programme to foster professional development of the up-and-coming Chinese Medicine Practitioners. Clinical attachment will be arranged in Mainland Chinese medicine institutions.” said Chairman Lee.

As one of the main education service providers in the territory, Tung Wah will strive to strengthen the teaching and learning in schools besides providing an ideal environment for students’ development. To prepare for the implementation of the New Senior Secondary curriculum, all secondary schools and special schools have formulated their school-based curriculum framework. “More workshops and seminars on subjects of the new curriculum will be organized to equip our teachers with the requisite knowledge and skills in their teaching.” assured Chairman Lee. In addition to launching the English Enhancement Scheme funded by the Education Bureau, the Board has further allocated funds to schools for organizing a joint schools English immersion camp as well as engaging expert of English language to provide training on phonics-teaching, reading and writing to primary school English teachers.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Community College had received satisfactory comments from the Joint Quality Review Committee panel in its Institutional Review of the College operations. The College will launch 3 new Associate Degree Programmes, namely “Associate of Business”, “Associate of Business in Promotion with Design” and “Associate of Social Science” in September this year to cater to the needs of the community. In preparing for the College’s accreditation by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications to offer 4-year degree programmes, it has jointly set up a Planning Committee with The Chinese University of Hong Kong to review the current development of the College and to enhance the quality of its programmes as well as the strength of its academic staff.

Dr. John Lee stressed that under the impact of the financial tsunami, Tung Wah will uphold its fine tradition in providing free medical services for the needy. The Board also pledged to adopt prudent financial measures when carrying out new initiatives.

The Inauguration ceremony was officiated by Mr. TSANG Tak-sing, JP, Secretary for Home Affairs. Members for the 2009/2010 Board include:

Chairman: Dr. LEE Sam Yuen, John

1st Vice-Chairman: Mr. LEUNG Ting Yu, Billy

2nd Vice-Chairman: Mr. CHANG Juo Hwa, Charles

3rd Vice-Chairman: Mrs. CHAN MAN Yee Wai, Viola

4th Vice-Chairman: Dr. CHAN Un Chan, Ina

5th Vice-Chairman: Mr. SZE Wing Hang, Ivan

Directors: Mr. LI Chu Kwan, Thomas

               Mr. FUNG King Wai, Frederick

               Ms. FUNG Dan Lai

               Dr. KWONG Kai Sing, Benny

               Mrs. Selena YOUNG TSENG

               Mr. TAM Kwok Kiu, Edwin

               Dato’ K.K. WONG

               Mr. LEE Sheung Shing, Winston

               Mrs. Katherine MA

               Mr. CHAN Chi Sun

               Miss LEUNG Wai Yan, Iris

               Mr. LEE Yuk Lun

               Ms. Maisy HO

               Mr. YAU Chung Hong, Peter

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Photo : Dr. John LEE (front row, right), Chairman of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (2009/2010), taking the oath of office.