HONG KONG — Medical authorities in Hong Kong issued an urgent public plea Thursday for a heart donation to save the life of a critically ill local teacher suffering from severe heart failure following an emergency surgical procedure last month.
The patient, identified as Yue Siu-hei (also known as “Sir Hei”), a 44-year-old schoolteacher with Type AB-positive blood, is currently listed in critical condition in the intensive care unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Clinicians from the Hong Kong West Cluster Transplant Team and Queen Elizabeth Hospital are working aggressively to manage his acute health crisis, emphasizing that a heart transplant is his sole chance for survival.
Sudden Onset Prompts Life-Saving Measures
Mr. Yue, who was previously in good health and works at a Tung Chung school, was admitted to the hospital on October 20 after experiencing sudden chest pains while playing table tennis. Initial examinations at Tseung Kwan O Hospital led to a diagnosis of an acute aortic dissection. He was immediately transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for a complex, life-saving surgery that included aortic replacement and a valve implant.
Despite the successful initial operation, Mr. Yue subsequently developed severe heart failure. He has been in the Intensive Care Unit for over a month and, at one point, required an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) machine to support his respiratory function due to severe lung failure. He is now prioritized on the heart transplant waiting list.
The tragic turn of events was detailed in a tearful audio recording provided by Mr. Yue’s wife, who identified her husband by his English name, David. “Heart transplant is the only hope to save David’s life,” she stated, recounting that doctors confirmed his dire prognosis. She described her husband as a passionate athlete who was unaware of a pre-existing congenital heart condition that complicated his recovery.
Family and School Community Issue Heartfelt Calls
Mr. Yue’s wife choked up as she described the emotional toll the crisis has taken on their family, particularly their two young daughters who desperately miss their father. She stressed that Mr. Yue is not only a beloved teacher but also the primary economic pillar of their home.
“He loves his two daughters dearly, sheltering them from life’s worries,” she said, pleading for community consideration. “Our two children are very young and still need their father’s presence to grow up.”
Echoing her desperate plea, Principal Lam Chi-kong of Tung Chung Catholic School released an urgent statement. Principal Lam described Sir Hei as “a great mentor and close friend to his students” during his 15 years at the school.
“All students and faculty are deeply concerned and saddened by the teacher’s condition,” Principal Lam stated. He appealed for altruistic families, who may be grappling with the loss of a loved one, to consider organ donation and “extend that universal love” to offer Mr. Yue a second chance at life.
Cross-Border Donation Mechanisms Activated
Given the extreme urgency of the patient’s condition, the Hospital Authority (HA) confirmed that while they are actively searching for a suitable local donor, they are also moving swiftly to activate cross-border search procedures with mainland China.
The HA explained that if a potential deceased donor is identified on the mainland who meets the medical criteria but for whom no suitable recipient can be found locally in China, coordination may allow the heart to be transported to Hong Kong for matching and transplantation. This procedure offers a vital lifeline to critically ill patients.
A spokesperson for the HA emphasized that any successful cross-border donation would be managed with the utmost integrity, adhering strictly to all relevant organ transplant laws and regulations. Fast-track application processes would be initiated with regulatory bodies to ensure the expeditious arrangement of surgery.
The Hospital Authority reiterated the profound impact of organ donation, describing it as the “only hope” for patients with end-stage organ failure. They concluded the appeal by urging the public to consider this selfless act of compassion, which offers the gift of life and provides relief and strength to families facing unimaginable hardship.
Resource: Individuals wishing to learn more about or register for organ donation in Hong Kong should consult the local Hospital Authority’s official information channels.
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