Speeches

33rd Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress
(APAO) 2018
Opening Ceremony
8 February 2018 (Thursday)
Speech for SFH

Prof Charles McGhee [President of APAO],
Prof Clement Tham [President of APAO 2018 Congress],
Dr Hugh Taylor [President of International Council of Ophthalmology],
Dr Jeffrey Pong [President of Hong Kong Ophthalmological Society],
Prof Jimmy Lai [President of the College of Ophthalmologists of Hong Kong],
Dr Carmen Chan [Chair of APAO 2018 Congress Organising Committee],
distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

 

1. Good afternoon. It is my great pleasure to join you today at the Opening Ceremony of the 33rd Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress. Let me first extend my warmest welcome to all of you.
2. In Hong Kong, we are faced with immense healthcare challenges arising from an aging population, including age-related eye diseases, such as cataract, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has been fully committed to attending the needs of ophthalmic care from the public. In 2007, the Government designated additional funding to implement a Private-public Partnership (PPP) pilot programme which provides additional cataract surgeries to meet the growing service demand. As at September 2017, around 17 000 cataract surgeries have been performed under this program, which has effectively reduced the overall waiting time for cataract surgery in the public healthcare sector from over 6 years to, currently, under 2 years.
3. For patients who suffer from glaucoma, we are also subsidising a full range of topical antiglaucoma medications, glaucoma laser procedures and surgeries at affordable prices. With advances in imaging technologies, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) has become an indispensable tool in glaucoma monitoring. The Hong Kong Hospital Authority has also provided extra OCT and visual field testing, in order to meet the monitoring requirements of an expanding glaucoma patient population.
4. As regards wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) has become the first-line treatment in developed economies worldwide. However, the cost of the anti-VEGF agents and the need for repeated injections make the treatment expensive. To ensure that patients with wet AMD are provided with appropriate treatment and care, the Hospital Authority has implemented a special program since 2012 to provide needy patients with free anti-VEGF injections.
5. Looking ahead, the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital will commence operation by phases in 2018. The hospital will provide comprehensive specialised care, including eye services, for children in Hong Kong. The Hospital Authority will also continue to provide scholarships for Hong Kong ophthalmologists to receive overseas training in all aspects of paediatric ophthalmology, including paediatric cornea, glaucoma, uveitis, vitreo-retinal surgery and electrodiagnostics.
6. The Congress today provides an invaluable platform for ophthalmic practitioners to exchange views and to keep pace with the latest scientific innovations, techniques and technologies. With so many exciting developments in the field of ophthalmology, I am confident that the community and our patients will benefit from the further advancement of ophthalmic treatments and technology.
7. As the Secretary for Food and Health, to safeguard public health, provide quality medical services, ensure food safety and environmental hygiene are always top priorities on my health agenda. My team and I will continue to work hard for the betterment of Hong Kong.
8. Before closing, may I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation to each and every medical professional and academic for your unrelenting pursuit of betterment in the field of ophthalmology, as well as to all the speakers for sharing with us their insights and experience. I wish the Congress every success and for our overseas delegates, a pleasant stay in Hong Kong. Thank you.