According to the Ministry of Health, there are about 4 million cataract patients in mainland China, while there are as many as 400,000 new cases every year. Cataract is a disease of old age, but acquired injuries and congenital factors may also lead to cataract. In remote and impoverished rural areas, poor sanitation, manual labor, and a lack of eugenic awareness result in a much higher percentage of cataracts in middle-aged and young adults and children than in urban areas. More than half of the cataract patients live in remote areas and are not treated in a timely manner because they live in poverty and other reasons; they live in darkness for a long time and are in urgent need of help.
In 1997, when Hong Kong was returned to the motherland, Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, on behalf of 6.7 million Hong Kong compatriots, presented the first "Health Express" to the people of the motherland. Subsequently, the second and third "Health Express" were presented to the Mainland in 1999 and 2002 respectively. It is a mobile, train-built charitable eye hospital equipped with world-class ophthalmic medical equipment. The management committee of the Health Express is composed of officials from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Railways and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council. Excellent ophthalmologists are selected by the Ministry of Health to board the train to provide free surgical treatment to poor farmers suffering from cataract. The funds for the Health Express are raised by the Hong Kong Health Express Foundation and the China Health Express Foundation.
Since its operation in July 1997, the "Health Express" has traveled to 53 districts in 20 provinces across the country, providing free sight-restoring surgeries for nearly 50,000 impoverished cataract sufferers, enabling them to regain their sight, and many of them to regain their ability to work and embark on the road out of poverty and lead a better life. Wherever the "Health Express" traveled, it was praised by the general public and known as the "Messenger of Light". Leaders of the State Council have participated in the activities of the Health Express for many times, and recognized the work of the Health Express, and hoped that the whole society would care for and support the Health Express
The Health Express is a specially-designed and constructed eye train hospital, which was initiated by Hong Kong entrepreneurs and the general public with donations, and is well-equipped with facilities. The "Health Express" was born in 1997 with the return of Hong Kong to the motherland. Three "Health Express" trains, loaded with the love of 6.7 million Hong Kong compatriots and the selfless dedication of mainland medical personnel, have entered the impoverished areas of the motherland, providing free cataract surgeries to more than 27,000 cataract patients in 30 regions, including Anhui, Sichuan, Guangxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Zhejiang, Guizhou, Hubei, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Hebei, Chongqing, Guangdong and Fujian, etc. The hospitals have also provided free cataract surgeries to over 1,000 patients. More than 27,000 cataract patients have been operated free of charge in 30 regions, including Anhui, Sichuan, Guangxi, Gansu, Qinghai, Zhejiang, Guizhou, Hubei, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Hebei, Chongqing, Guangdong and Fujian, etc., and have been able to see again. Many of these patients have gained the ability to work and are on their way out of poverty. "The Health Express also trains local ophthalmologists to improve local ophthalmologic care and medical standards. The local government has praised "Health Express" as a messenger of love and light, and the cured patients are filled with tears of gratitude to the donors for their kindness!
In order to make this charity work for the benefit of the people even better, the mainland has set up the "China Health Express Foundation". This initiative has received the care and support of former Premier Zhu Rongji and the guidance of Vice Premier Li Lanqing. In his approval, the leader asked that the work be included in several practical matters for the countryside.
"China Health Express Foundation" in the preparation and establishment of the process, the State Council and the relevant departments have received strong support. In 2002, the Ministry of Civil Affairs officially approved the establishment of the "China Health Express Foundation". The Foundation is chaired by Mr. Jing Shuping, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of United Front Work, the Central Enterprise Work Committee, the Central Financial Work Committee, the Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Economy and Trade, and the Council for the Promotion of International Trade and Industry serving as vice-chairmen, advisors, and executive directors. Since then, the "Health Express" has been able to conduct fund-raising work in the Mainland, providing more favorable conditions for the development and expansion of the "Health Express". This charitable cause has a long way to go, it needs Hong Kong and mainland people **** together to join in this meaningful cause.
The "Health Express" has three trains nationwide***, each consisting of a conference and power generator, two camping cars and a surgical car, all of which are assigned to the Beijing West Vehicle Section, produced by Sifang Factory and donated by the Hong Kong SAR. One of them is a 120km/h underfloor, all single-decked cars, the remaining two are 160km/h, and the camping car is double-decked.