 Li
Ka-shing pioneered free hospice care services in the mainland. In
November 1998, the Li Ka Shing Foundation established the “Heart
of Gold” Hospice Service Program, setting up China's first free
hospice at the First Affiliated Hospital of the Shantou University
Medical College. Responding to a need to serve terminal-stage cancer
patients, the Foundation extended the service nationwide with an annual
donation of HK$40 million to establish hospice services at 24
major hospitals.
At present, this is the only service that provides free hospice care
for impoverished cancer patients at home, offering pain alleviation,
psychological counseling, and other terminal care. Since its inception,
65,000 patients have benefited annually, and more than 20,000 house
calls have been made. The service will be further expanded to 28
hospices throughout the country in 2008, serving 18,000 patients
annually. The Foundation’s total contributions to this program
is now over HK$240 million (US$30.7 million). |
