PolyU School of Nursing welcomes WHO Regional Director for Western Pacific to advance healthy ageing initiative

As the global population ages, ensuring the health and well-being of older adults has become a key priority. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) School of Nursing, serving as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services, welcomed Dr Saia Ma’u PIUKALA, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, for a visit to strengthen regional partnerships in promoting healthy ageing and advancing community-based integrated care for older populations.

During his visit to PolyU, Dr Piukala emphasised three key objectives: promoting healthy ageing, enhancing regional collaboration and empowering communities. He stated, “Our partnership with PolyU’s WHO Collaborating Centre is pivotal in addressing the needs of ageing populations in the Western Pacific. By advancing tools like the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) 2.0, we empower communities to deliver sustainable, equitable care for older adults, ensuring they thrive in their later years.”

Prof. Ben YOUNG, PolyU Vice President (Student and Global Affairs), said, “We are honoured to host Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala with a view to furthering our shared mission of transforming elder care. PolyU School of Nursing’s leadership in person-centered care, supported by innovative research and educational resources, positions us to drive meaningful change in healthy ageing across the region.”

Led by Prof. Angela LEUNG, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services at PolyU, the School is advancing ICOPE 2.0 to enhance early identification and intervention for older adults. Prof. Leung remarked, “ICOPE 2.0 streamlines assessments and interventions, enabling timely support for older adults and their caregivers. With the HKSAR Government’s emphasis on caregiver support, this framework aligns with our commitment to sustainable, community-driven care.”

To support the adoption of ICOPE 2.0, the WHO Collaborating Centre has developed comprehensive online and offline educational materials, including a promotional video featuring real-life case studies. The Centre has also recently organised training programmes in Mainland China, Fiji, Cambodia and the Philippines, reaching over 6,000 participants through 54 webinars from 2021 to 2024. These initiatives foster cross-regional knowledge exchange and strengthen community-based care models.

Dr Piukala’s visit also included discussions on geriatric medicine, mental health, smart ageing technologies and evidence-based policies, further reinforcing PolyU’s role as a global leader in ageing and health research.

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