Given the advanced medical knowledge and techniques available today, paediatric hernia is not a difficult ailment to treat. However, if left untreated, it could impede a young patient’s healthy growth and development and could even develop into a life-threatening illness. Paediatric Hernia is more prevalent in western provinces of China such as Qinghai. Mr. Li made a decision to support the project within three minutes after listening to a joint briefing by the Foundation and a specialist committee of the Ministry of Civil Affairs about the proposed hernia program in Qinghai. Mr. Li also suggested expanding the program to include Gansu and Ningxia.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs teamed up with the Li Ka Shing Foundation to launch the Paediatric Hernia Rehabilitation Program in Qinghai, Gansu and Ningxia to provide free operations for children suffering from hernia. The Foundation has committed up to RMB 50 million to provide free surgeries for tens of thousands of children ages 2-14. An estimated 6,000 cases will be treated in the first year of the Program. As of January 2010, the first group of hospitals has provided free medical treatment for 500 children, and more than 20 other hospitals have just commenced service to ensure that the paediatric hernia patients receive timely, quality care.

Following the early success of the Program in the three pilot locations, the Program will be expanded to Guizhou, Xinjiang, Sichuan, Guangxi, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia, Tibet, and Chongqing, benefiting more patients and their families in the entire western region.

The Paediatric Hernia Rehabilitation Program follows the success of Project New Life – National Cleft Lip and Palate Program, an ongoing collaboration between the Li Ka Shing Foundation and the Ministry of Civil Affairs.