Passionate guardian upkeeps hospital hygiene

Lee Hon-chow
Operation Assistant IIIA
Kwong Wah Hospital

Having worked in the Central Domestic and Portering Team of Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) for 17 years, Lee Hon-chow now supports hospital environmental hygiene service. Hon-chow has served different roles in the team, including environmental hygiene, portering and pest control. “I’m always ready to help out whenever necessary regardless which position I’m in,” he says. No wonder he is well trusted and praised by colleagues from administration and clinical departments, who call him dearly as ‘Mr Almighty’.

Having served different roles in the team, Lee Hon-chow is a diligent team player well-liked by colleagues.

In every battle the hospital faces, Hon-chow plays the fearless defence. He tries to ensure every corner of the hospital is cleansed so as to prevent spread of diseases. During SARS outbreak in 2003, the first infected patient was admitted to KWH. Seeing the wards disinfected as frequent as three times a week, Hon-chow realised the severity and volunteered to work overtime. In the course of cleaning, he also reminded teammates to take safety precaution and kept the wards sanitised thoroughly based on professional knowledge. “Luckily there was no large scale outbreak in the hospital. The effort was well worth it,” he recalls.

Lee Hon-chow generously teaches colleagues about the use and maintenance of cleansing equipment, passing on his knowledge and experience.

When Hong Kong was hard hit by dengue fever, devoted Hon-chow inspected through blackspots, removed stagnant water and applied larvicidal oil and sand in the hospital compound with his team. On his own initiatives, he also inspected peripheral areas of the hospital within 500-meter to enhance vector control. When Super Typhoon Mangkhut ripped through the city last year, Hon-chow spotted a large amount of standing water on the rooftop of the hospital main building, posing threat to wards on the top floor. To prevent water seepage, he immediately put on protective gears and cleared the blocked drain when the typhoon slightly abated. Recollecting this frightening experience, he feels lucky that the wards did not suffer any damage.

Maintaining a hygienic environment is basic for a hospital. Hon-chow shines in his role and feels motivated about the award. “I’m happy to be recognised for my work. It gives me a sense of satisfaction and allows me to bring home the bacon. My work is more than a job. I feel at home here!”