Epidemic Preparedness for Health Protection

Together,
onwards
Fostering healthcare leaders

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute brings together a world-class alliance of research institutions. It will help place Hong Kong at the forefront of vaccine development and strengthen regional capabilities in handling large-scale global public health emergencies.

We're helping to train a new generation of health professionals for capacity building. Our new scholarship programmes with the National Health Commission will support emerging frontline medical talent to pursue postgraduate studies and share experience and expertise at leading international universities.

Boosting health system preparedness for global public health emergencies

Over many decades, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has consistently focused on the health of the community in Hong Kong.

Most recently, the Club made a landmark donation of HK$3 billion to support efforts to boost how our health systems prepare for, and respond to, future large-scale global public health emergencies through a new series of medical initiatives and programmes.

Part of the donation is being used to support the Health Bureau of the Government of the HKSAR and the Centre for Health Protection to strengthen system-wide preparedness for future outbreaks of infectious disease. Another has seen the Club’s Trust sign a partnership with the University of Hong Kong, the University of Cambridge and the International Vaccine Institute to establish The Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute in Hong Kong. This institution will serve as a hub for international collaboration with the shared goal of bringing some of the latest vaccine advancements to Hong Kong.

In addition, recognising that the healthcare workforce is critical to responding to public health emergencies, the Club will collaborate with health authorities in the Greater Bay Area and beyond to train a new generation of health professionals, including clinical specialists and public health leaders, helping to strengthen healthcare workforce capacity and capabilities.

The Club’s support for these projects, like all of its charity donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate employment, tax and charity support for the community.

Milestones

The Club’s commitment to health for all is unwavering. Find out more below about the Club’s support for healthcare over the years.

1950s

Enhancing healthcare in post-war era

The Club funded the construction of a nursing home at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, supported the establishment of a new leprosy treatment centre on Hei Ling Chau, the extension of Kwong Wah Hospital, and a new hospital wing at Ruttonjee Hospital (formerly the Ruttonjee Sanatorium) to address major and fast-spreading diseases.

 

 

To alleviate the burden posed by a high post-war birth rate and ensure adequate maternity hospital services, the Club supported the reconstruction of the maternity unit at the Nethersole Hospital, today known as the Ho Miu Ling Block. Tsan Yuk Hospital also received support from the Club to upgrade its facilities.

 

 

Financing the establishment and operations of over 20 healthcare clinics throughout the city, in addition to a donation to the government for two floating clinics named “Chee Hong” and “Chee Wan” to provide medical services to residents in outlying islands and remote villages.

1960s – early 1990s

Providing comprehensive healthcare access to the community

In the 1960s, Nethersole Hospital’s newly established nursing home and maternity unit commenced operations, while Tsan Yuk Hospital also received support from the Club to upgrade its maternity facilities.

 

 


The Club supported the construction of United Christian Hospital and its later extension, the construction of new wings at Kwong Wah Hospital and Caritas Medical Centre, the redevelopment of Ruttonjee Hospital, Castle Peak Hospital and Haven of Hope Hospital, as well as the construction of a new Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital in Tai Po.

Late 1990s – 2000s

Supporting medical education and professional development

The Club funded the construction of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Jockey Club Building as well as the establishment of the Jockey Club School of Public Health (the current Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care) at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

 

Empowering elderly care in dementia support

With a focus on providing holistic and professional care, the Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing (JCCPA) was established in 2000, as a first specialised centre dedicated to improving the well-being of elderly people with dementia.

 

Evolution of traditional Chinese medicine

To spearhead Chinese medicine development, the Club supported the establishment of the Jockey Club School of Chinese Medicine Building at the Hong Kong Baptist University, Chinese medicine out-patient clinics cum training and research centres, and the first Chinese Medicine Disease Prevention and Health Management Centre in Hong Kong.

2004

Opening of the Centre for Health Protection

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) is the city's first dedicated facility for the prevention and control of infectious diseases. It was established in 2004 with the Club’s funding support in response to Hong Kong's SARS epidemic.

2005

Enhancing compassionate care

To provide residential and end-of-life services for cancer patients and the elderly, the Club supported the conversion of Nam Long Hospital to the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society Jockey Club Cancer Rehabilitation Centre.

2006

Empowering seniors for a more fulfilling future

In light of a rapidly ageing population, CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors is launched to promote new approaches to elderly healthcare through community programmes, professional development and scientific research, public education and training.

2016

Enhancing elderly healthcare development

The Club initiated and implemented a number of projects namely the Jockey Club Community eHealth Care Project to encourage self-management of chronic diseases; the JC JoyAge Project to tackle the problem of elderly depression; and the Jockey Club End-of-Life Community Care Project to improve the quality of end-of-life care.

2017

Creation of The Jockey Club One Health Tower

The Club helps City University of Hong Kong to construct the Jockey Club One Health Tower. Upon its completion in late 2025, the Tower will house the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, and serve as an educational and research base for veterinary medicine and life sciences.

 

Establishment of a cancer research centre at Grantham Hospital

Donation of over HK$1.244 billion to The University of Hong Kong to establish the city's first purpose-built cancer-specific research and service centre at the redeveloped Grantham Hospital.

2021

Official opening of the CUHK Medical Centre

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Medical Centre officially opens which is Hong Kong’s first ‘smart hospital’, aiming at promoting the concept of healthy community and supporting innovative projects in collaboration with the government.

2020 – 2022

Covid-19 pandemic initiatives in support of the community

The Club showed its agility and responsiveness through multiple pandemic relief initiatives that address the impact of the pandemic on the local community. Over three million people in Hong Kong are benefitted.

2023

Announcement of HK$3 billion donation to strengthen epidemic preparedness

In October, the Club announced a donation of HK$3 billion to support the Health Bureau and the Centre for Health Protection in strengthening post-COVID epidemic preparedness, to establish a new Global Health Institute, and to support national capacity building in human resources for health.

While in November, a Memorandum of Understanding is signed with the goal of bringing latest translational vaccine technology to Hong Kong.

2024

Signing of three co-operation agreements in support of health initiatives

Early March, the Club and the Institute of Philanthropy (“IoP”), a charitable organisation established by the Club and its Charities Trust, jointly announced the signing of three co-operation agreements to strengthen preparedness for future outbreaks of infectious disease and to enhance regional co-operation in the Greater Bay Area for joint prevention and control.

 

Combating mental health crisis among young and elderly

To address mental health challenges in Hong Kong, the Club approved HK$790 million to fund eight mental health initiatives to provide both online and offline emotional support at the primary care, school and community levels.