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Mary Ann

Mary Ann Benitez

HKU newsletter highlights tales of loss, heroism and hope

Infectious disease experts, educators and Sars survivors have described their grief and experiences of the outbreak in a special issue of the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Medicine newsletter - published yesterday as a tribute to the men and women who helped to contain the disease.

Eight health-care workers were among the 298 who died in the  outbreak. Among the 1,755 Sars victims, 386 were medical staff.

The special issue of Medical Faculty News was published in the hope readers could donate to the recently launched University of Hong Kong Faculty of Medicine Sars Fund, a spokeswoman said. Some 80,000 copies have been distributed to doctors and medical groups.

Among those quoted are Ernie Lo Chi-fung, an  HKU medical intern at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, who told of surviving the 'frightening' disease he contracted in early March.  'It has made me realise that life is more uncertain. Because of this, I live more for the moment and life has become more precious.'

Tony Toa Wai-lung, another intern struck down when working at Tai Po Nethersole Hospital in late March, said: 'I had prepared for death but I was not frightened.'

Both came out of their experience more sympathetic of the needs of patients. 'Even the small stuff that might not matter to you as a doctor is very important to the patient,' Dr Lo said.

Yuen Kwok-yung, head of the faculty of medicine's department of microbiology, which was at the forefront of the Sars research work, described Sars as 'the hardest test for me professionally and personally'. He said: 'I have lost 5kg, don't have enough sleep and have been under great pressure.'

HKU's team of microbiologists has been credited for having identified a form of the coronavirus as the cause of the respiratory viral infection. It has also devised diagnostic tests and helped with treatment.

Kenneth Tsang Wah-tak, the physician-in-charge of the Sars wards at Queen Mary Hospital, said: 'It has been the greatest test for everyone. People have been overwhelmed because if you get it, you could die and you will give it to your family. You become emotionally attached to your patients, which is unusual for consultants.'

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Medical Association said yesterday its annual charity concert planned for Sunday at City Hall would be 'a tribute to  the Sars warriors who fought  against the epidemic'.



Experts and survivors tell Sars stories to honour heroes