Leung Chun-ying Reports Foundation's Four-Year Eye Care Milestone Across Five Nations
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong-based China International Health and Medical Cooperation Forum Foundation, commonly known as the Shared Fortune Foundation, convened an ophthalmology forum in Beijing on September 15, 2026, to commemorate its fourth anniversary. Vice Chairman Leung Chun-ying (梁振英), who chairs the foundation, announced that over the past four years, the organization has delivered free eye examinations to more than 54,000 individuals and completed over 31,300 cataract surgeries across five nations in Africa and Asia .
Key Points
- Foundation operates in five countries: Laos, Cambodia, Djibouti, Mauritania, and Senegal, implementing ophthalmology projects since 2022
- Provided free eye examinations to over 54,000 people and completed more than 31,300 cataract surgeries
- Deployed medical teams to share surgical techniques and clinical experience with local healthcare workers
- Feng Yong (馮勇), Director General of the National Health Commission's International Cooperation Department, praised the foundation's contribution to building a global health community
- WHO China Representative Martin Taylor noted 94 million people globally suffer from cataracts, with 15-minute surgeries offering instant and lasting vision restoration
- WHO aims to increase cataract surgery coverage by 30 percentage points by 2030
Why It Matters
The foundation exemplifies Hong Kong's potential to serve as a bridge for mainland medical resources to reach developing nations, leveraging the city's international networks and professional expertise. As China accelerates its Healthy China initiative under the 15th Five-Year Plan, such civilian medical diplomacy efforts could expand, positioning Hong Kong as a strategic hub for international healthcare cooperation .
The foundation exemplifies Hong Kong's potential to serve as a bridge for mainland medical resources to reach developing nations, leveraging the city's international networks and professional expertise. As China accelerates its Healthy China initiative under the 15th Five-Year Plan, such civilian medical diplomacy efforts could expand, positioning Hong Kong as a strategic hub for international healthcare cooperation .