Practise greater social responsibility for sustainable healthcare
Maisy Ho, the Executive Director of Shun Tak Holdings, has brought the experience of a decades-long career in high-level management to her new role in the Hospital Authority (HA) Board since last year. The new member discovers that the challenges in the health sector are as diverse as that in the business sector, while she looks forward to making a greater commitment to the community, adhering to the teachings of her late father Dr Stanley Ho of using resources derived from the community for the good of the community.
“I studied abroad when I was young and I wasn’t familiar with the local medical system,” Maisy explains. “It was until I became a member of hospital governing committees of a number of public hospitals, I learned that no issue is too trivial in the hospitals because they are not only treating patients, but also dealing with various problems.” Maisy has involved in the redevelopment of century-old Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) – a delicate project that called for the preservation of historic parts of the building and carrying out construction work with minimum disruption to patients and staff. “While demolishing one building, we had to ensure employees working at the building beside were unaffected,” she recalls, “while making service relocations, we had to secure the full operation of the hospital. It was indeed an unprecedented challenge.”
“I studied abroad when I was young and I wasn’t familiar with the local medical system,” Maisy explains. “It was until I became a member of hospital governing committees of a number of public hospitals, I learned that no issue is too trivial in the hospitals because they are not only treating patients, but also dealing with various problems.” Maisy has involved in the redevelopment of century-old Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) – a delicate project that called for the preservation of historic parts of the building and carrying out construction work with minimum disruption to patients and staff. “While demolishing one building, we had to ensure employees working at the building beside were unaffected,” she recalls, “while making service relocations, we had to secure the full operation of the hospital. It was indeed an unprecedented challenge.”
Contribute to anti-epidemic efforts
As Hong Kong is facing up to an evolving epidemic situation, Maisy used to learn the latest news through the press conference at 4:30 pm every day. “After joining the Board, I get to know more about the policies, which encourages me to practise greater social responsibility,” she says, “for example, when the Government appeals to the commercial sector for support in disease prevention, my business can respond to that.” Taking a position on the HA Board has also led her to more fully appreciate the impressive team spirit and hard work of healthcare staff in fighting the virus over the past two years, she reflects.
Maisy believes businesses should explore opportunities and plan for changing trends and needs brought about by COVID-19. “For instance, the ice cream brand under my corporate was hit by the epidemic,” she says. “The shops have therefore adjusted to sell more family-size products. All of us should grasp the chance to make these strategic assessments.” With this in mind, the healthcare industry should develop more online services, she argues. “People are getting used to maintaining social distance. This helps the whole medical system introduce more elements of technology and intelligence. The smart approach could ultimately enhance service precision and alleviate manpower pressure,” she says.
Maisy believes businesses should explore opportunities and plan for changing trends and needs brought about by COVID-19. “For instance, the ice cream brand under my corporate was hit by the epidemic,” she says. “The shops have therefore adjusted to sell more family-size products. All of us should grasp the chance to make these strategic assessments.” With this in mind, the healthcare industry should develop more online services, she argues. “People are getting used to maintaining social distance. This helps the whole medical system introduce more elements of technology and intelligence. The smart approach could ultimately enhance service precision and alleviate manpower pressure,” she says.
Adjusting to an epidemic-altered world
The HA has had wider adoption of information technology in recent years, notably launching the HA Go app – something Maisy believes could be further enhanced. “It can support more aspects and functions to make our services more convenient and friendly,” she says, “I think the medical service in Hong Kong is very low-priced and good value for money, but I also understand the public expectations on different issues, such as long waiting time. In this respect, public-private partnership in more specialties is an important solution, in a way to ease the burden on the public system.”
Outside her busy working schedule, Maisy always makes time to unwind through tai chi. “I have practised it for 15 years, and it helps strengthen my body and ease stress,” she explains. “Because of COVID-19, all our meetings have now moved online. Having consecutive online conferences means that I barely have a chance to walk, stand, or even get a cup of water. So, I am conscious to remind myself to exercise.”
Maisy is also enthusiastic about Chinese medicine and wants to explore the possibilities for integration of Chinese and Western treatment in the future.
Outside her busy working schedule, Maisy always makes time to unwind through tai chi. “I have practised it for 15 years, and it helps strengthen my body and ease stress,” she explains. “Because of COVID-19, all our meetings have now moved online. Having consecutive online conferences means that I barely have a chance to walk, stand, or even get a cup of water. So, I am conscious to remind myself to exercise.”
Maisy is also enthusiastic about Chinese medicine and wants to explore the possibilities for integration of Chinese and Western treatment in the future.
