CUHK E-Newsletter

Two CUHK teams were the 2nd runners-up (Youth Sector) of the Hong Kong Public Policy Innovation Award 2005-06:
* 'Medical Service Concern Group', formed by undergraduate students, Lee Ho-kei, Kong Tin-chun, Si Bao-ling, and Tina Chan Yee-ching, with project 'Medical Service up North'; and
* 'Evidence-based Traditional Chinese Medicine', formed by Ph.D. student Vincent Chung (School of Public Health) and HKU M.Phil. student Wendy Wong (Family Medicine Unit).

The awards presentation ceremony held on 6th May 2006 was officiated by the Honourable Tsang Yok-sing, non-official member of the Executive Council, HKSAR.

The Hong Kong Public Policy Innovation Award is jointly organized by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and the Hong Kong Policy Research Institute, and sponsored by the Sustainable Development Fund. The objectives are to enhance young people's understanding of sustainable development and promote it in schools and the community; to encourage young people to express their creativity and views; to foster communication between young people, the government and different organizations.

The competition comprised two categories: secondary school students and young adults under 35. The participating teams researched on topics including Town Planning Policy and Development in the Pan-Pearl River Delta, Medical, Food and Healthcare Policy, Youth Participation and Cultural Policy. Each team was required to prepare and submit a written report in either Chinese or English and to present the content of their reports. The prizes include book vouchers, trophies, and certificates. Winning reports will be published and sent for reference to all secondary schools and universities, government departments and the relevant organizations.

This year, there were 87 teams of secondary school students and 66 teams of young adults. The three United College Cantonese Debate Team members, Lee Ho-kei (PSY 1), Kong Tin-chun (BBA 1) and Si Bao-ling (GBS 1), and Tina Chan Yee-ching (BCM 1) of Shaw College formed the 'Medical Service Concern Group'. Their project 'Medical Service up North' proposes that private health care organizations set up facilities on mainland China. This would benefit Hong Kong elderly looking to retire up North; it would also expand the market of these organizations and lighten the burden on the healthcare system. The four team members hope that their proposition will trigger serious discussion on its feasibility.

The ageing population is putting increasing pressure on Hong Kong's healthcare system. Vincent Chung and Wendy Wong's proposal involved using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to relieve the pressure. They pointed out that research over the last 20 years has demonstrated the effectiveness of TCM in handling common illnesses, especially those encountered in a primary care setting. It has also been found to contribute to health promotion and prevention of chronic disease in the population. Hence evidence-based TCM should be able to benefit patients and reduce healthcare expense.