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Crossing path with Professor Fred Hollows
An interview with Dr. Godfrey Lam


Dr. Godfrey Lam is one of only a few Hong Kong residents to personally know the revered Australian eye surgeon Professor Fred Hollows, who founded The Fred Hollows Foundation. Dr Lam studied under Professor Fred Hollows in Australia, and is the only person in The Foundation’s Hong Kong office to have met the ophthalmologist.

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"A very casual person"

He said, “My first job in Australia was to work under Professor Fred Hollows in the University of New South Wales. I had to go to the university twice a week and that was when I could meet with him.”

“He was a low-key person. I never saw him wearing a tie and he always wore a pair of shorts. You can say he's a bit casual. But he was very down to earth. Once he had set up a goal he would strive to achieve without nonsense. He was very friendly and nice to everyone. He might look intimidating to some people, but he was actually very nice.”

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Making friends with the Aboriginal community 

Dr Lam worked in the Northern Territory, where he had the chance to make friends with members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. He said, “We found it easy to communicate with each other. They are very creative and friendly.”

It was 20 years ago. There were no tourist facilities or hotels in the area so his Indigenous friends would take him to catch crabs in the mudflats. Dr Lam’s job was to conduct eye screening for the Aboriginal community and he also witnessed the improvement needed for the people.

He said, “The indigenous people are three times more likely to be blind than other Australians and 12 times more likely to have cataract. And they wait longer for cataract surgery.”

Professor Fred Hollows first priority was to improve eye care services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. However, his focus did not stay on the Australian land. He also represented The World Health Organization in countries such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, and Burma, and Vietnam, with the mission of conducting eye screening, surgeries and to train local ophthalmologists. Prof. Hollows felt deeply for the patients in these countries, especially how poverty had barred people from having simple, affordable and quick eye care services. Indeed, there was still a lot to do.

 

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Joining The Fred Hollows Foundation in Hong Kong

After spending 13 years in Australia, Dr Lam came back to Hong Kong to practice. Five years ago, when he heard that The Fred Hollows Foundation was setting up an office in Hong Kong, he joined the team as an Advisory Committee member.
 
“I am the only ophthalmologist in the Advisory Committee and I am able to provide medical advice when needed.” Dr Lam is also keen to share eye health knowledge in the media and with supporters of The Foundation.

He said The Foundation’s vision was to end avoidable blindness, and despite being one of the biggest international eye health charities it was comparatively low profile compared to some other well-known eye organisations.

“Many of my friends have not heard about The Fred Hollows Foundation. Some charities have a lot of resources to promote their services. The Foundation chooses to spend its resources on improving eye care services in remote areas.”

As a member of the Advisory Committee, Dr Lam would like to let more Hong Kong people understand the work and values of The Fred Hollows Foundation.

He explained, “The Foundation works to raise the standard of eye care services in remote areas by training local doctors and health workers and building up the health system. Some charities provide services and surgeries directly, but when they leave it is difficult to follow up patients’ conditions. By working with partners at a local level The Fred Hollows Foundation makes sure its efforts are long term and sustainable.”
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Restore Sight changes lives
 

“Dr Lam pointed out that from the perspective of an ophthalmologist, restoring sight is more than a health issue.

When your family member in the remote areas cannot see, they cannot go out or work. There is one more person to take care of at home and for the family, it also means that there is one fewer person to work for an income. Also the patient needs to be taken care of. As a result, restoring sight to a patient equals helping two people - the patient and the caretaker. Both can go back to work. As a result restoring sight is very meaningful.”

The Hong Kong public has cast a vote of confidence to the local medical system in the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Lam said Hong Kong was small and densely populated. There are optometrists and doctors in all districts. It is very easy to seek medical help.

“In some remote areas and poor countries, there is never enough medical manpower or technology. If we can provide help to raise the medical standards of these areas, they can develop sustainable eye care services and treat their own patients. They do not need to rely on external help which would be the best result. Medical expertise from outside can only provide temporary or one-off help. If we agree that it is important to follow up the conditions of patients but there are no local professional help, it is not ideal. As a result, for a good medical system it is important to train local medical staff and let them treat local patients.”

Dr Lam wishes that more Hong Kong people will donate and support The Fred Hollows Foundation. He hopes that patients with avoidable blindness in remote areas can also enjoy good quality eye care services just like the people of Hong Kong. 
GIVE THE GIFT OF SIGHT

GIVE THE GIFT OF SIGHT

Imagine not being able to access the basic eye care needed to lead your life. There are millions of people throughout the world who live like this. Vision impairment and blindness can affect every aspect of one's life; school, work, relationships, and basic human rights.

The Fred Hollows Foundation is an ally to these people. We provide basic eye care services, ensuring that hundreds of thousands of people have their lives transformed every single year.

Please, consider being a part of this life-changing humanitarian movement, and donate today.