The battle of veteran democracy campaigner Szeto Wah against late-stage cancer is focusing on pain relief, his fellow alliance members say.
The 79-year-old Szeto, staying in a private hospital, had become weaker in recent weeks, said Albert Ho Chun-yan, Democratic Party chairman and a member of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China. 'He still has a clear mind,' Ho said, recalling a visit two days ago. 'We all know it is a heavy illness. Many of his current therapies are to ease his pain.'
The alliance chairman spent Christmas in hospital. He was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer in January. Alliance colleagues visited him over the holiday period.
Alliance vice-chairman Lee Cheuk-yan, who visited a few days ago, said Szeto ate festive treats such as Christmas cake, chocolate and ice-cream. 'It is not that meaningful to restrict his diet at this stage,' Lee said, adding: 'He was encouraged to have more physiotherapy and walk more.'
Szeto, affectionately known as Uncle Wah, has been in hospital for about three months. Last month, he was absent from the annual alliance meeting for the first time in 21 years. He was re-elected chairman.