Promoting Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine for better therapeutic effect

Dr Lui Sing-leung
Deputy Hospital Chief Executive / Consultant (Medicine), Tung Wah Hospital (current Consultant)

The Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine (ICWM) Pilot Programme was launched by the Hospital Authority in 2014, with Dr Lui Sing-leung helping to provide Chinese medicine rehabilitation for stroke patients at Tung Wah Hospital (TWH). Dr Lui is a pioneer in ICWM and established Hong Kong’s first integrated clinic at the hospital in 2009 for patients with kidney disease. “Chinese medicine has a long history and complements western medicine well,” he explains. “We believe that combining Chinese medicine with western medicine has better therapeutic effect. The setting up of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals – The University of Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Training and Research Centre at TWH has also created a favourable environment for ICWM. We then provided treatment through collaborative consultations using Chinese and western medicines.”

Patients with kidney disease may have higher potassium levels after taking Chinese medicine, resulting in greater burden to the kidney. Therefore, taking Chinese and western medicines without doctors’ assessment might lead to adverse effects. Hence, patients have greater confidence in collaborative consultations. Dr Lui has also organised talks on ICWM to raise understanding among his Chinese and western medicine colleagues.

Dr Lui takes pleasure in clinical work and his relationship with his colleagues. “What makes nephrology unique is nephrologists have the chance to care for patients throughout their lives,” he reflects. “From the onset of the disease to dialysis and kidney transplantation, the same group of doctors is responsible for the same patient, which gives me great satisfaction.” He recalls one patient’s recovery journey that touched him deeply. “There was a young patient who suffered from glomerulonephritis. Dialysis was required until a member of her family donated a kidney to save her life,” Dr Lui says. “She eventually recovered and married and gave birth to a baby. Recently, she came back for a follow-up appointment and told us that her child has graduated from university. Improving patients’ quality of life is my greatest motivation as a doctor.”

Dr Lui hopes to see an increase in kidney donation rates in Hong Kong so more patients’ lives can be transformed; to further develop home hemodialysis service; and to promote early intervention in treating chronic kidney disease patients to prevent the need for dialysis. With so many goals still to pursue, he has extended his employment beyond retirement to continue his beloved clinical work.