0952 HKSAR Name of the Day

Rainbow Ho Tin Hung (Dr), alumnus, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
see 0757 HKSAR Name of the day

About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Rare; Literal translation; Nature-based

0951 HKSAR Name of the Day

Bosco Ho Hin Ngai (Mr), alumnus, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

see 0222 HKSAR Name of the Day

About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation; Substitution; somewhat common in Hong Kong

The Perils of Traditional Chinese Medicine

A recent news story reported that mainland Chinese parents are putting faith and wishful thinking in to using crocus flowers to treat their 19-month-old son's severely damaged liver caused due to a congenital blocked bile duct. The parents were earlier told by medical doctors in Hong Kong that their infant son needed a liver transplant.

Although lack of money and lack of access to modern resources may be major factors that are stopping the parents from accepting modern medicine, their belief in traditional Chinese medicine is still a huge concern, and illustrates how many people are tricked into believing traditional Chinese medicine is effective when compared with modern medicine.

"If it really worked, there wouldn't be so many people needing transplants," said Professor Lo Chung-mau, director of Queen Mary Hospital's Liver Transplant Centre

Do the parents actually know what is in the best interests of their child?

It is heart warming to hear that Hong Kong citizens have so far raised over HK$100,000 for the child's plight. A liver transplant in Hong Kong typically costs HK$1 million.


Reference

Parents backtrack on baby's liver operation (SCMP; paywall)
Infant whose plight won sympathy in HK will be treated with traditional methods, his father says

Lo Wei
Jan 04, 2012

The mainland couple whose infant son doctors say needs a life-saving liver transplant have decided to forgo the surgery - for which the Hong Kong public made donations - in favour of traditional Chinese treatment.

The parents of 19-month-old Li Liuxuan , whose plight made front-page news in the city two months ago, said a transplant would be a "last resort" for now.

"Little Liuxuan's health is progressing well with the Chinese medicine he has been taking," the father, Li Xianfeng , said last week.

"He has a better appetite now. His skin is not so yellow and he has grown taller and heavier.

"[Our] Chinese doctor said an operation may not be necessary, and we hope to avoid causing him serious harm [through a transplant operation]," the 32-year-old said.

The family has been consulting a doctor specialising in traditional Chinese medicine in Guangzhou since returning to the mainland.

The baby is being treated with crocus flowers, said to treat yellowing skin caused by liver disease.

Hongkongers donated tens of thousands of dollars to help the couple pay for a HK$1 million operation for Liuxuan, who was born with a blocked bile duct and whose liver was severely damaged.

The baby's recent progress may not be a sign of recovery, warns Professor Lo Chung-mau, director of Queen Mary Hospital's Liver Transplant Centre, who was consulted by the Li family in October.

Liuxuan's liver has been irreversibly damaged, Lo says, and a liver transplant - which has a 95 per cent success rate - is the only way to save the baby's life. "He may be in stable condition now, but complications such as intestinal bleeding or bile duct inflammation may occur any time and cause death," he said.

Lo also doubts the crocus flower's effectiveness. "If it really worked, there wouldn't be so many people needing transplants," he said.

Post readers sent donations to help Liuxuan, and the University of Hong Kong set up a Liver Transplant Charitable Fund. So far HK$119,870 has been received from 30 donors.

If the couple confirm they will not proceed with the transplant, donors who sent aid specifically for the baby will get a refund.

The liver centre will contact the family soon to get their final decision, Lo said.

0950 HKSAR Name of the Day

Barrie Ho Chow Lai (Mr), alumnus, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Rare

0949 HKSAR Name of the Day

Mickey Fung Mei Ki (Ms), alumnus, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation for Females; Phonetic-based

Deliriously Drunk Dragons A Sign Of The Times

Dragons deliriously dancing and drinking and partying their time away (pic taken at Tsim Sha Tsui East)

This is Hong Kong's warped interpretation of Christmas and the festive season. It is a very merry and irresponsible message for Christmas.

To those familiar with Hong Kong's annual festive lights, the context and hence, the warped interpretation, is invariably linked with the upcoming Chinese New Year lights which always follow on from the Christmas lights. With the 2012 Chinese New Year being the Year of the Dragon, this is the reason why "there be dragons" displayed on Hong Kong's waterfront.

But does this mean that Chinese people believe dragons drink and party during the Lunar New Year too?? Or is this a purely Western attitude?

If surveys are anything to go by (see news article Fiery Dragon set to spark baby rush from The Standard), then the drinking and partying may indeed help with breathing more life (i.e. newborn baby 'dragons' or 'Little Emperors') in 2012. Scary times ahead.

0948 HKSAR Name of the Day

Idy Fu Chui Yuk (Ms), alumnus, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

About Novel HKSAR Names
Name Category: Creation; Substitution

Verbal Diarrhoea #11

"Everyone has been talking about the end of the world lately, because of some ancient prophecy for 2012. I had someone asking me what I would do if this New Year's Eve was my last. I'm not buying into that story since my fortune-teller told me I'd live to be 83 years old."

Claims Dorian Ho, fashion designer, Hong Kong

This is an example of a "cherry picker"; someone who cannot think critically and has fallen into the trap of confirmation bias and wishful thinking. Dorian Ho—who incidentally probably thinks of himself as handsome and youthful-looking—has rejected one stupid "prophecy" for another one. How absurd.


About Verbal Diarrhoea


Related Posts (Verbal Diarrhoea)


Reference

A time for dreaming and setting goals; (SCMP; paywall)

Dec 29, 2011

Everyone has been talking about the end of the world lately, because of some ancient prophecy for 2012. I had someone asking me what I would do if this New Year's Eve was my last. I'm not buying into that story since my fortune-teller told me I'd live to be 83 years old. I sincerely wish for world peace this coming year. Let's keep things positive. On a personal note, I'm hoping to make it to Rome early in the year to catch up with some old friends. But with the autumn collection design in full swing and New York fashion week coming up, I don't know if I'll be able to fulfil that resolution.