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Lo Hoi-ying

Two-year-old Nathan Chiu Sheung-lai spent Christmas outside a Hong Kong hospital ward for the first time with his parents on Wednesday.
Nathan, who has been diagnosed with a genetic disease known as CHARGE syndrome, has spent most of his young life in the neonatal intensive care unit. He had his first surgery to unblock his nasal passages just 10 days after his birth.
The disease affects many parts of the body, including the heart, nerves, genitals, eyes and ears.
Nathan, who had difficulty breathing, was reliant on a ventilator until he underwent a tracheotomy in March, which finally allowed him to breathe on his own and be discharged.
“We are very happy that he can spend Christmas at home this year and enjoy the festivities across the city,” said his mother, May Wong.
Nathan and his parents attended a Christmas party organised by Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital at Sandy Bay in Pok Fu Lam on Wednesday.
Dozens of healthcare workers and volunteers began the celebrations in the morning with a parade winding down Sandy Bay Road.
Four vehicles decked out in festive decorations led the parade, followed by a marching band from the Civil Aid Service and a group of unicyclists.

Volunteers dressed up as Santa Claus and his helpers, as well as characters from Chiikawa, a popular Japanese manga.
Healthcare workers, also dressed as Santa Claus, distributed presents to paediatric patients, who clapped with glee.
The hospital also organised performances, including a magic show and bicycle stunt performance for patients.
For 29-month-old Nathan, this Christmas marked a new phase of his recovery away from the ward at Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam.
“He was always in and out of the hospital, and I started having mental health problems worrying about whether we can take care of him and whether he can adapt to society,” his mother said.
Although the boy has been discharged, the family still has to take him to the children’s hospital for follow-up consultations every 10 days.
Wong said it was tough juggling the check-ups, but she was very thankful and happy her child was improving.
“I am glad he can enjoy the festivities and spend his holiday outside the ward and see how the rest of the world is celebrating,” she said.
Wong added that the family would head to Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai later in the evening to see the Christmas lights and also planned to visit Ocean Park to see the giant pandas.
Wong thanked the healthcare workers for organising the party and for helping her understand how to care for Nathan at home.
“I could never imagine that I would be able to take care of his tracheotomy, but they gave me a doll to practise on and were very patient,” she said.

Nathan Lee, a registered nurse who took care of the child, said staff members across the hospital’s ranks put in a lot of time and effort to throw the party for the children.
“The party was a chance for paediatric patients to experience the joys of Christmas, as some of them had spent a lot of time in hospital during the pandemic,” he said.
Lee, who dressed up in an inflatable costume of Santa Claus riding a reindeer, said the children were elated to see him and eagerly took photos with him.
As Nathan’s condition improved, Lee said he was heartened to see the worry in the boy’s parents ease.
For Wong, her Christmas wish was for Nathan to regain his health and eventually learn to walk and talk.


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Healthcare workers arrange a Christmas party for children at the Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital at Sandy Bay. Photo: Nora Tam

Healthcare workers and volunteers take part in a parade of cartoon character-themed vehicles, as part of Christmas celebrations organised by Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital at Sandy Bay. Photo: Nora Tam

Nathan Chiu, two, with his parents at the hospital’s Christmas party, enjoying a reprieve from his treatments for CHARGE syndrome. Photo: Nora Tam

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Officers inspect all toys in the centre after each session. Photo: Dickson Lee

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News

Hong Kong

Society

Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital organises festivities, offering children and their parents relief and joy from battles with illness


Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital organises festivities, offering children and their parents relief and joy from battles with illness.


Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals