Manulife Hong Kong has announced the launch of 'Manulife Health Voucher Program - Covid Recovery' to support long Covid recovery in underserved communities in partnership with Christian Family Service Centre (CFSC).
The programme will begin on 21 November 2022 and will provide up to 1,000 sessions of free healthcare services to eligible underprivileged beneficiaries between the ages of six and 80 who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and are experiencing long COVID symptoms.
Priority will be given to people living in subdivided units and small flats in districts such as Kwun Tong, Lei Yue Mun, Sham Shui Po, Shatin, Tin Shui Wai, Tsuen Kwai Tsing, and Wong Tai Sin.
The health services in the programme are designed to prevent the worsening of long COVID, and include Western medical consultation, Chinese medicine consultation and prescription, nutrition consultation, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and acupuncture.
These services are provided through CFSC and four other charitable organisations: Asbury Methodist Social Service, Free Methodist Church of Hong Kong Social Service Division, Hong Kong Single Parents Association, and Society for Community Organization.
A recent health survey on attitudes towards COVID-19 from Manulife Hong Kong revealed that nearly two-thirds of respondents who had contracted the virus claimed to have experienced long COVID symptoms. The most common long COVID effects include respiratory, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms, which result in a lengthy treatment period, causing loss of income and heavy financial burden for vulnerable families.
“As the pandemic evolves, public concerns around long COVID have become a key issue facing our communities,” said HyounJoo Choe, Chief Customer Officer, Manulife Hong Kong and Macau. “Building on the success of our Health Voucher Charity Program, we are excited to step up our efforts to bring new focus to this pressing matter and contribute to improving the health and wellness of the community. By providing Hong Kong’s underserved communities with access to the most needed medical services, we hope to support their recovery from long Covid and rebuild their health without them having to worry about financial stress.”
Leung Siu-ling, Chief Executive of CFSC, said, “The impact of long COVID is not to be overlooked. Beyond health, it can lead to significant financial difficulties, particularly for those in underprivileged communities. We are more than grateful to expand our long-standing partnership with Manulife Hong Kong to roll out this timely programme to provide critical medical support to those in need. Individuals and their families will greatly benefit from improved physical health and mental wellbeing, and so will our society.”