Lung disease patients call for oxygen tanks to be allowed on Hong Kong public buses
They argue that regulations are outdated and lack of awareness means they face discrimination
Sufferers of a chronic lung disease are urging the Hong Kong government to lift restrictions on oxygen tanks being carried on buses, saying current regulations are discriminatory and affect their freedom of movement.
Chow, 63, who did not want to reveal his first name, is a former construction worker and smoker and one such patient. He was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) six years ago.
Two years back, he started requiring the full-time use of an oxygen cylinder as his lungs could only function at 20 per cent of full capacity.
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The disease restricts air flow in and out of airways in the lungs, causing shortness of breath.
“I was once told to get off the bus because of my cylinder. I then hid my cylinder and got on the next bus. But it was very difficult for me so I [secretly] took out the cylinder and took a breath or two. I felt embarrassed,” he said.
COPD is the eighth most severe disease in Hong Kong and 140,000 people have medium to severe symptoms. More than 6,000 patients require an oxygen cylinder or concentrator. Every year the disease kills 1,400 people – about four a day.
The lung disease typically affects smokers, construction workers and people exposed to second-hand smoke.
Patients who require an oxygen tank to aid their breathing are limited in mobility by the capacity of their tanks and how quickly they use up the oxygen.