Message from the Chairman
Speech by Dr. CHAN Kwok Ki, MH, JP
Chairman of the 77th Board of Directors (2026-2027)
“Promoting Benevolence for the Nation, Rooted in Love” is the annual mission shared by myself and my fellow of the Board of Directors. We are committed to embodying compassion and kindness, transforming love into strength, and responding to society’s needs with concrete actions that benefit the community.
Pok Oi Hospital has been serving Hong Kong for over a century, steadfastly upholding our motto of “We Love, We Care, We Serve.” With the generous support of numerous donors, the hospital currently operates more than 130 service units across Hong Kong, encompassing Western and Chinese medicine, dental care, elderly services, youth and family support, education, and transitional housing. Each year, approximately two million people benefit from these services.
I am deeply honored to assume the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors this year, carrying forward a mission and a responsibility of stewardship. In the past, I served as a frontline doctor at Pok Oi Hospital, providing professional medical care to the public. Later, I have joined the Board of Directors of Pok Oi Hospital, actively participating in and driving various development initiatives. Today, I am privileged to lead as Chairman, working alongside fellow board members on a broader platform, with a wider vision, guiding the Pok Oi team to shoulder the responsibility of serving society. As a doctor, I believe health forms the foundation of livelihood, and I will devote special attention to advancing Hong Kong’s healthcare development, safeguarding the well-being of the public.
Carrying forward the profound charitable tradition, we remain committed to walking alongside the people of Hong Kong, attuned to the needs of society, and caring for the community through action. We will continue to join hands with all sectors to advance social services, leading Pok Oi Hospital into a new chapter with steadfast leadership, clear strategies, and professional execution. Together, we aim to weave a resilient and compassionate social safety net, ensuring that love and care reach every corner of society.
Below are the major focuses and service development plans for the upcoming year set out by myself and our Board of Directors:
Strengthening Cross‑Border Collaboration Through the Spirit of Patriotism
Pok Oi Hospital has always embraced the spirit of patriotism, embedding national identity and a sense of belonging into every aspect of our development. We will continue to cultivate this ethos across all services, particularly in social and educational initiatives, enhancing the national awareness. I will lead the Board and management team to the Chinese Mainland for exchanges, fostering deeper collaboration between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong. Leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths, we will expand elderly services in the Greater Bay Area, deepen cooperation in Chinese medicine, and promote professional initiatives such as acupuncture-based smoking cessation. Additionally, we will enrich youth engagement through national education programmes, cultural experiences, and exchange activities, enabling the younger generation to cultivate a heartfelt bond with our country.
Enhancing Governance and Upholding Integrity
Corporate governance is the cornerstone of sustainable development and public trust. Pok Oi Hospital is committed to its integrity and professionalism, ensuring comprehensive systems and transparent processes that inspire confidence among the public, service users, donors/ benefactors, and all stakeholders. We believe sound governance is not only essential for internal management but also a driving force for positive social development. Moving forward, we will organise regular seminars for management and staff, covering anti-corruption, procurement standards, data protection, and privacy. We will continue to strengthen monitoring mechanisms in decision-making, procurement, and risk management, laying a solid foundation for long-term growth.
Strengthening Community Care to Broaden Service Networks
Community well-being arises from meaningful connections and tangible support. In alignment with the government’s key policy priority of “Improving People’s Livelihood,” we remain steadfastly people‑centered, embedding care into every aspect of our work. We are committed to broadening our service network and extending support to every corner where it is needed.
• Building “Mini Pok Oi” Caring Communities
Stable housing is a major concern for the public. To ease the short‑term pressure on public housing supply and improve the living environment of those residing in inadequate housing, Pok Oi Hospital actively supports government policy. Following the “Light Public Housing” project at Sheung On Street, Chai Wan, we have once again been awarded the operation and management contracts for the “Light Public Housing” projects at Olympic Avenue, Kai Tak (Phases 2A and 2B). These developments are expected to be completed and ready for tenant intake in the third quarter of 2026, addressing the urgent housing needs of grassroots families.
Pok Oi Hospital will collaborate with Creative Property Services Consultants Limited to leverage professional synergy and integrate comprehensive social services into the projects. We believe that the “Light Public Housing” project should not merely be a construction, but rather a warm, inclusive, and sustainable caring community. To this end, we will establish a resident‑centered “Mini Pok Oi” community model, offering continuous social support services such as family and child support, youth development, elderly care, and neighborhood assistance. These initiatives will foster connections among residents and build community cohesion.Our vision of “home” is a living space filled with warmth, belonging, and hope—one that uplifts the quality of life and happiness of every family.
• Expanding Cross-Border Elderly Care Options to Extend Quality Services
In response to the 2025 Policy Address on “Enhancing Elderly Care Arrangements in the Greater Bay Area,” Pok Oi Hospital is expanding cross‑border elderly services. We have established a partnership with Dongguan Hongmei Hospital Nursing Centre, and in February this year, Pok Oi Hospital was officially accredited under the Guangdong Residential Care Services Scheme by the Social Welfare Department, becoming a recognised service provider.
This collaboration is of profound significance. It not only marks the first extension of Pok Oi Hospital’s elderly care network into the Greater Bay Area, but also symbolises the beginning of a new chapter. As integration within the Greater Bay Area continues to deepen, Pok Oi Hospital will further leverage Hong Kong’s professional strengths in elderly care, fostering resource complementarity and experience sharing between the two regions.
We envision this as a starting point to continuously provide Hong Kong seniors who wish to retire in the Greater Bay Area with more diverse and higher‑quality living options. Looking ahead, we will continue to expand our service network and strengthen regional collaboration.
Safeguarding Community Health to Embrace a New Chapter of Wellness
Pok Oi Hospital has always regarded the safeguarding of community health as its mission. We continue to expand our professional medical services, encompassing Western and Chinese medicine, dental care, and community healthcare services. Looking ahead, our focus will not only be on disease treatment, but also on actively building preventive health strategies to address conditions before they arise. By strengthening the foundations of public health, we aim to become a healthcare partner that is accessible, trustworthy, and dependable for all.
• Strengthening Mobile Medical Services and Advancing Standardisation of Chinese Medicine Smoking Cessation
Chinese medicine services have become a signature service of Pok Oi Hospital. With the aim of making these services more flexible and accessible within the community, we will continue to strengthen our mobile medical network by introducing electric outreach vehicles and electric medical vehicles. This initiative actively supports Hong Kong’s policy direction of promoting a “green economy” and sustainable development, while embodying the concept of environmentally friendly healthcare.
For the long-term development of Chinese medicine services, Pok Oi Hospital is committed to building an integrated “medical, education, and research” collaborative system. Grounded in clinical services and supported by education and training, we aim to strengthen collaboration between Chinese and Western medicine and to advance chronic disease prevention and treatment through Chinese medicine.
With the fifteen years of solid experience in tobacco control, we are fully dedicated to promoting the standardisation and internationalisation of Chinese medicine smoking cessation services. Pok Oi Hospital will continue to work closely with the Department of Health’s Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office to implement the “Clinical Guideline of Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Smoking Cessation (Hong Kong Edition)”. By integrating acupuncture with professional counseling, we provide safe, effective, and uniquely Chinese medicine-based services to support individuals in quitting smoking. At the same time, we will strengthen industry engagement and plan to extend the guideline’s promotion to the Greater Bay Area. We are also committed to deepening the development and popularisation of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong. More importantly, we aspire to transform our accumulated expertise into transferable experience, contributing to the global advancement of Chinese medicine.
• Expanding Primary Dental Services In Line with Northern Metropolis Development
To align with the planning and development of the Northern Metropolis, Pok Oi Hospital will establish a dental clinic in Fanling to fill gaps in community healthcare services and contribute to the district with healthy and livable new community. This initiative closely follows the pulse of the Northern Metropolis development and aims to extend a people-centered regional health network.
• Supporting the Government’s Preventive Care Strategy by Strengthening the Role of Community Healthcare system
As Hong Kong’s primary healthcare system continues to evolve, community based and prevention oriented services are gradually maturing. Through the operation of the Yuen Long District Health Centre and its mobile medical services, complemented by a community pharmacy, Pok Oi Hospital is dedicated to providing residents with chronic disease management, health screening, health education, and rehabilitation support. We also actively collaborate with local organisations, schools, and community institutions to establish a strong partnership network, extending our services to every corner of the community.
Moving forward, we will further integrate the concept of “preventive care” with health screening to drive more proactive and targeted district health initiatives. This will enable residents to access comprehensive, continuous, and personalised health protection within their own communities, helping them meet the challenges posed by an aging population and the rise of lifestyle related diseases. Additionally, we aspire to actively align with Hong Kong’s overall development blueprint, building a stronger and more compassionate health defense for the public.
Caring for the Elderly as Our Mission to Set a New Standard for Senior Living
• Smart Elderly Homes Opening a New Chapter
Population aging has become a pressing issue in Hong Kong. The focus is no longer solely on meeting the demand for elderly care, but enhancing the quality of life for seniors and promoting an active and fulfilling “silver age lifestyle.” Against this backdrop, the “Pok Oi Hospital Tuen Mun Lam Tei Nursing and Residential Care Home Project” is expected to commence operations in the first quarter of 2027. Upon completion, it will be the largest elderly care home project in Hong Kong, incorporating innovative technologies to create a “smart elderly home.” The team is working tirelessly to advance the commissioning, with the goal of providing seniors with holistic services that combine professional care and enriched living. At the same time, to actively support the long term development of the Lam Tei project and to deepen public awareness of elderly care, Pok Oi Hospital will launch a large scale fundraising campaign this year under the theme “With You at Lam Tei – Co Creating a New Chapter in Elderly Care.” This initiative aims to unite the strength of all sectors of society, working hand in hand to create a higher quality and more dignified elderly living environment, ensuring that compassion and goodwill continue to flourish throughout the community.
• Sustaining an Elderly Care Network While Walking Alongside Caregivers
Pok Oi Hospital has been committed to building a warm, comprehensive, and continuous network of elderly services. We place particular emphasis on promoting the “aging in place” model. Through our elderly community centres, neighbourhood centres, home care services, and day care centres, seniors are able to live and age gracefully within familiar communities where they feel a sense of belonging. For those requiring more extensive support, admission to our care and nursing homes ensures attentive and detailed care. Pok Oi Hospital strives to provide seamless elderly care, spanning from residential facilities to home based services. This encompasses professional nursing, rehabilitation therapy, dementia support, and spiritual care, enabling seniors to receive appropriate, personalised attention and enjoy peace of mind.
Together with these efforts, Pok Oi Hospital fully recognises that supporting caregivers is also important. In the coming year, we will further strengthen our caregiver support by providing professional training and practical guidance to help caregivers master essential caring skills and psychological support. We will also establish emotional support services and connect community resources to facilitate access to medical, social, and financial assistance. In addition, respite services will be offered to relieve the stress of family members who shoulder long term caregiving responsibilities, helping them restore balance. This embodies our service philosophy of “walking alongside caregivers,” ensuring that care extends not only to the elderly but also to every family quietly dedicating themselves to the well being of their loved ones.
Promoting Positive Education and Advocating Anti Drug Awareness
Currently, drugs are rapidly infiltrating youth communities through various networks and peer circles. In the coming year, we will place “Promoting Positive Education and Advocating Anti Drug Awareness” at the core of our efforts, systematically integrating anti drug promotion into youth and school initiatives. By combining curricula, family engagement, and community resources, we aim to establish a comprehensive protective network that safeguards young people against the risks of substance abuse.
With regard to school promotion, we will design interactive anti drug lesson plans tailored to students’ cognitive development, integrating them into life education and health curricula. Through scenario simulations, case analyses, and experiential learning, students will be guided to understand the profound harm drugs can cause to their physical and mental health, families, and future. At the same time, we will strengthen emotional management and stress resilience training to enhance positive psychological resilience. In addition, we will expand guidance seminars to help families better recognise behavioral changes and early signs of drug misuse among youth, while encouraging teachers and parents to adopt an open attitude in supporting students as they face temptations and pressures.
In community outreach, Pok Oi Hospital’s youth service units will actively promote anti drug messages in shared leisure spaces, summer programs, and district activities. Plans include setting up interactive advocacy stations, hosting themed workshops, community events, and sports experiences, using engaging and participatory approaches to deliver anti drug messages that resonate with young people’s everyday language and social settings.
Furthermore, we will integrate online and offline strategies, leveraging social media platforms to broaden our reach among youth. By continuously strengthening collaboration among schools, families, and communities—through regular exchanges, resource sharing, and case support—we aim to build a close knit defense network. Together, we will establish a strong social barrier against drugs, guiding the younger generation to stay away from temptation and embrace a healthy, positive life.
Compassionate Aid Driving New Community Response Strategies
During the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire incident last year, Pok Oi Hospital provided immediate support to affected residents and bereaved families through the “Emergency Relief Fund Scheme,” helping to ease urgent needs. To further strengthen the community’s capacity to respond to crises, we will draw on this experience to continuously refine our emergency relief mechanisms. A rapid mobilisation system will be established, enhancing efficiency and transparency in relief fund approvals through cross departmental collaboration and digitalised processes, ensuring timely assistance in the aftermath of incidents. Beyond financial aid, we will also reinforce on the ground support, with professional social workers offering psychological counseling, while coordinating material and medical assistance. These multi layered measures aim to accompany and support disaster affected individuals as they rebuild their lives.
To ensure the sustainability, Pok Oi Hospital will expand collaboration with the business sector, charitable foundations, and professional organisations to promote diversified fundraising models. Meanwhile, we will establish a systematic crisis management mechanism, conducting reviews after each operation and formulating standardised response procedures. These measures aim to enhance the community’s overall disaster‑response capacity, ensuring that the power of compassion becomes a solid pillar supporting community recovery.
Inspiring Compassion and Mobilising Society to Embrace Charity
Every act of giving and engagement becomes a vital force propelling the growth of social services. Pok Oi Hospital has always been committed to connecting with the community through innovative and diverse approaches, organising large‑scale events and interactive initiatives to inspire resonance and engagement in charitable causes. Each year, we organise flagship events such as the Pok Oi Cycle for Millions, Charity Run, Pok Oi Charity Show, Martial Arts performance, Charity Golf Day, and the territory‑wide “Pok Oi Month” annual fundraising campaigns. These major events allow citizens of all ages to take part in charity in enjoyable and meaningful ways, weaving love and compassion into everyday life.
Pok Oi Hospital actively leverages the power of social media and digital platforms to bridge closer connections with the public, inspiring especially the younger generation to care about social needs and to witness how every charitable donation transforms into real medical support, elderly care, and community health services. Going forward, we will continue to create impactful charitable experiences that inspire every participant to become a partner in advancing community health. We sincerely hope to join hands with the public, channeling every act of kindness into a collective force that builds a warmer, healthier, and more inclusive society.
Conclusion
Every innovative initiative benefiting people’s livelihoods is never achieved by individual effort alone. On behalf of the Board of Directors 2026-2027, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Chairlady HUANG Xiaojun for her outstanding leadership and contributions, which enabled Pok Oi Hospital to achieve numerous milestones over the past year.
Moving ahead, we will carry this momentum forward, continuing to navigate challenges with conviction and action, opening up new possibilities. Pok Oi Hospital will persist in delivering warmth through deeds and care through professionalism. We look forward to joining hands with all sectors of society to weave a closer and more resilient community support network, collectively building a healthier, more compassionate, and more inclusive society. This mission remains deeply rooted in our hearts, and we will strive tirelessly to transform it into a light of warmth that shines across every corner of the community.
My fellow Board of Directors and I will remain steadfast in our original mission, ensuring that the spirit of “Pok Oi” continues to be passed on from generation to generation. We sincerely hope to receive the ongoing support and guidance of all sectors of society, as well as the generous contributions of our donors. Every donation entrusted to us will be used wisely—expanding new initiatives when timely, extending our service network, and continuously enhancing service quality—to provide comprehensive support for those in need and to contribute to building a caring Hong Kong.
Finally, I sincerely wish everyone enduring blessings and good health!