The Hong Kong Jockey Club has long been committed to promoting a healthy community and to furthering medical and healthcare in Hong Kong. With the official opening today (9 September) of the CUHK Medical Centre it reached a new milestone.

Funded with a HK$1.3 billion donation from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the CUHK Medical Centre represents both the Club’s largest single donation to medical services and to The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Such support is made possible by the Club’s unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate tax and charity support for the community. One of the Centre’s clinical blocks has been named the Jockey Club Clinical Tower.

Guests officiating at the opening ceremony included HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam, HKSAR Secretary for Food and Health Prof Sophia Chan, HKSAR Director of Health Dr Constance Chan, Club Chairman Philip Chen, Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CUHK Council Chairman Dr Norman Leung, CUHK Medical Centre Chairman of the Board of Directors Dr Chien Lee, CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President Prof Rocky Tuan, CUHK Dean of Medicine Prof Francis Chan, and CUHK Medical Centre Chief Executive Officer Dr Fung Hong.

Promoting a healthy community is a key focus for the Club in its commitment to the betterment of society. The Club both supports and initiates collaborative efforts to improve physical and mental well-being. These include programmes to promote preventative healthcare, healthy lifestyles and participation in sports. The Club’s significant support for local medical care dates back to the 1950s when it funded the establishment of clinics, maternal and child health centres, hospital expansions as well as medical equipment purchases. Following the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003 it supported the founding of the Centre for Health Protection, which is playing a significant role in the current fight against COVID-19.

Club Chairman Philip Chen said the official opening of the Centre marks a new page for Hong Kong’s medical services. “Over the past decades, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has spared no efforts in promoting the concept of healthy community and supporting many innovative projects with the Government.”

With a total floor area of 100,000 square metres, the 14-storey CUHK Medical Centre is Hong Kong’s first ‘smart hospital’ and features numerous innovations to enhance procedures, operations and services. These include paperless electronic medical records, mobile information and communications technology, and internet-of-things applications.

As the first non-profit, private teaching hospital, the Centre offers patients quality services at package prices that are transparent, enabling patients to have clear estimates of service fees before admission. In addition to offering training to the next generation of medical professionals, the Centre will strengthen the medical network in Sha Tin.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2020/21, the Club returned a total of HK$29.4 billion to the community. This included HK$24.9 billion to the Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$4.5 billion in approved charity donations.  The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world’s top ten charity donors. The Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.