In view of the failure of providing quality yet low-cost traditional Chinese medical services conveniently in Hong Kong, the D303 Cabinet Officers initiated a year long negotiation with the school of Chinese Medicine of the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU). It reached a consensus with (HKBU) to provide quality traditional Chinese medical services for the elders in Hong Kong. The Lions & Hong Kong Baptist University Chinese Medicine Charity Foundation Limited (‘Chinese Medicine Foundation’) was also established to provide subsidies for the elderly in need. The Chinese Medicine Foundation was officially established in 2007 and later registered as a government-approved non-profit making charitable organization. The first-term of the Board of Directors was chaired by Past International Director Lion Simon K. Y. Lee while the current Chairman of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong, Past International Director Lion Paul Fan Chor Ho served as the advisor. There are 10 members of the Board, 5 of them nominated by the Lions Clubs International District 303 – Hong Kong & Macao, China and 5 nominated by the HKBU. The posts of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Foundation are held by the representatives of the Lions Clubs and the HKBU respectively on a rotational basis every 2 years.

The Chinese Medicine Foundation raised over HKD 1.5 million during the year of its establishment in 2007, including the donation of USD 100,000 from an anonymous British charity foundation. In recent years, the Foundation has invited donations from various Lions Clubs and met with enthusiastic responses from them, including Lions Clubs of Central, Hong Kong Shouson Hill, The City and Tsuen Wan. Lions Club of Tuen Mun has donated a total of HKD 1 million on different occasions, thus allowing this programme to continue for the benefit of the elderly.

The service targets of the ‘Privilege Scheme of Chinese Medicine Service for Elderly’ launched by the Foundation are the permanent residents of Hong Kong aged 65 or above. Those who are poor and suffer from chronic diseases are eligible to apply. Applicants who are referred by registered Chinese Medicine Practitioners of the HKBU and approved by the Lions Clubs will be issued a ‘privilege card’ and ten vouchers with a total nominal value of HKD 1,000. This scheme enables the elders who have financial difficulties and chronic diseases to enjoy the outpatient services provided by the HKBU Chinese Medicine Specialty Clinics at a relatively low cost so that they can receive appropriate treatment with the goal of improving their health and quality of life.

Each elderly card holder only use one voucher and pay HKD 30 at the HKBU Chinese Medicine Specialty Clinics each time to receive a general medical consultation (including consultation fee and two packs of herbal medicine). The Chinese Medicine Foundation subsidies HKD130 and the HKBU contributes the remaining cost.

Since its establishment over the years, the Chinese Medicine Foundation has provided medical subsidies for more than 2 million people, many of whom are cancer patients in need of long-term treatment. With the Chinese medicine treatment, their well-being and quality of life improved.