Press Release 新聞稿 | The Hong Kong Medical Association - Charity Concert for Hydrotherapy for People with Arthritis 風濕水療展新生慈善音樂會

新聞稿

主辦單位 Organized by:

協辦單位 In collaboration with:

受惠機構 Beneficiary:

風濕水療展新生 慈善音樂會

香港醫學會慈善基金（慈善基金）將於二零一九年七月廿一日（星期日）晚上假葵青劇院舉行年度慈善音樂會。是次活動所籌得的善款和相關收益，不扣除任何開支，將全數撥捐「香港風濕病基金會」，資助專為關節炎及風濕病人而設的水療運動班及物理治療運動班，提升其活動能力，令生活質素得以改善。

香港醫學會副會長暨香港醫學會慈善基金主席林哲玄醫生在記者招待會中表示，醫學會在過去近三十年來一直透過合唱團和管弦樂團的公開表演籌集善款，支持各項社會公益事業。其後更成立了慈善基金，有系統地籌辦各項慈善活動及分配善款，令社會上更多弱勢社群受益。林醫生續稱，慈善基金的委員一致贊成支持香港風濕病基金會，認為該項目不但直接惠及患者，關顧其身、心健康，同時亦有助減低嚴重個案的住院需要，紓緩醫療系統的負擔，讓善款發揮更大效益。為表支持，香港醫學會將資助慈善音樂會的全部行政及籌辦費用，估計約需港幣十二萬元。他亦呼籲社會大眾踴躍捐輸，成為別人的祝福。

香港風濕病基金會主席陳德顯醫生表示，對於基金會能成為是次慈善音樂會的受惠機構感到非常高興，因所籌得的善款將可支持水療運動班及小組物理治療運動班在來年的經費，讓更多風濕病患者可以受惠。基金會成立十八年來一直致力通過病人和公眾教育計劃來推廣有關關節炎和風濕病的資訊，使大眾更有能力去面對相關疾病；透過不同的病人支援計劃，讓風濕病患者可提升活動能力，紓緩痛楚和改善健康。對於風濕病患者而言，水療運動和物理治療運動是合適的運動，能有助預防及減低疾病導致的殘障，並提升患者的自理能力、身心健康及生活質素。

類風濕性關節炎病友小燕表示，由2011年開始參加由「香港風濕病基金會」舉辦的水療班，無論身體和心理上都大有改善。參加水療班前，小燕經常感到關節疼痛及僵硬，影響日常活動能力，因而時常感到沮喪。水療運動舒緩了關節的不適，亦讓她認識了很多同路人，聽了同路人的分享和鼓勵後，讓她感到不再孤單，人也變得樂觀起來。現在，她擔任水療班班長，負責處理一些協調工作，助人自助，不亦樂乎！她希望更多人能關注風濕病和支持「香港風濕病基金會」。

物理治療師吳俊霆先生表示現今大量研究發現水療能在多方面有效改善風濕病患者的活動能力、身體機能、社交能力和心理健康。長期與病魔抗戰的隱蔽病者在加入病友水療群組後能互相扶持，並有專業的物理治療師長期跟進，病情變得更加穩定。他指水療計劃在過去11年已惠及超過4,000人，期望透過是次活動得到市民更多支持。

小燕及吳先生的分享片段，可於香港醫學會HKMA Facebook重温。

二零一九年七月八日

附：記者會相片

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PRESS RELEASE

8 July 2019

Charity Concert for Hydrotherapy for People with Arthritis

The Hong Kong Medical Association Charitable Foundation (the Foundation) will stage its Annual Charity Concert on Sunday, 21 July 2019 at the Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre. This year, the Hong Kong Arthritis & Rheumatism Foundation (HKARF) was selected the beneficiary. All funds raised, without any deduction for cost, will be used to support operational costs for the hydrotherapy and physiotherapy exercise program for patients with arthritis or rheumatism, helping them to improve mobility and thus their quality of life.

Dr. LAM Tzit Yuen, David, Vice-President of the Hong Kong Medical Association (HKMA) cum Chairman of the Foundation told that the HKMA had been raising funds for people in need for nearly 30 years through the public performances of its Choir and Orchestra. The Foundation was later established to coordinate charitable activities and allocate the funds raised, so that more underprivileged groups in the community can be reached. Dr. LAM expressed it was unanimously agreed to grant the support to HKARF this year as their program would directly improve the physical and social well-being of patients, and also reduce the need for hospitalization of serious cases, consequently lessen the burden of our health care system. In support of this worthy course, the HKMA would bear all production and administration expenses of the charity concert, which was estimated to cost over HK$120,000. Dr. LAM called for the loving and generous support of the public.

Dr CHAN Tak Hin, Chairman of Hong Kong Arthritis & Rheumatism Foundation (HKARF), is delighted the Hong Kong Medical Association Charitable Foundation has chosen HKARF to be the beneficiary of the 2019 Charity Concert. The fund raised will be used to support the hydrotherapy and physiotherapy exercise program for patients with chronic arthritis. HKARF was incorporated as a charity NGO more than 18 years ago to promote awareness of arthritis and autoimmune disease and to improving the health and quality of life of patients through our service. Hydrotherapy and physical exercise have been shown in scientific studies to reduce pain, improve joint mobility, decrease disability, and enhance self-care for arthritis patients.

A rheumatoid arthritis patient, Siu Yin, said she participated in the hydrotherapy program since 2001, which had improved her physical and mental health. Before joining the program, she suffered from joint pain and stiffness that affected her mobility and mood badly. Hydrotherapy exercise had greatly relieved her pain, and she met lots of peers who encouraged and supported her. She no longer felt lonely and became happier. She is now taking the role of a group leader and responsible for coordinating the hydrotherapy class. She is glad that she can help others and self-help. She hopes more people will support the HKARF.

Mr. NG Chun Ting, Elton, physiotherapist in-charge of the program said numerous studies had found hydrotherapy effective in improving mobility, physical function, social and mental health of rheumatic patients. They gained peer support and long term monitoring by physiotherapists through the hydrotherapy classes, which helped stabilize their health condition. He told that the hydrotherapy programs had benefited more than 4,000 patients over the past 11 years. He longed for a wider support from the public.

You may watch their sharing on 香港醫學會HKMA Facebook.

Encl.: Photos of press conference

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傳媒聯絡Media Contact：

香港醫學會 Hong Kong Medical Association

公關及傳訊經理袁女士 Candy YUEN, PR Manager

電話Tel：2527 8285 傳真Fax：2865 0943

電郵Email：hkma@hkma.org

Facebook : 香港醫學會HKMA

香港風濕病基金會Hong Kong Arthritis & Rheumatism Foundation

行政主任馬小姐 Sarah MA, Executive Officer

電話Tel：2346 6336 傳真Fax：2346 6136