In Memory of Dr Thomas WONG Hon kwong
In Memory of Dr Thomas WONG Hon-kwong
Dedicated Leader in Maternal and Child Health and Champion of Baby‑Friendly Care
With deepest sorrow, we would like to inform you of the passing of Dr Thomas WONG Hon‑kwong, former Executive Committee Member and Vice‑Chairperson of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association (BFHIHKA).
BFHIHKA is deeply saddened by the loss of Dr Wong, who had served the Association with dedication for many years. He was an Executive Committee Member from 1997 to 2017, Vice‑Chairperson from 2002 to 2013, Treasurer from 2013 to 2017, and a member of the Committee on Baby‑Friendly Health Facilities Designation since 2016. His steady leadership, sound judgement and professionalism made a lasting contribution to the Association’s work.
Dr Wong was formerly the Vice Hospital Chief Executive and Chief of Service (Obstetrics & Gynaecology) at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH). During his years in public service, he devoted himself to improving health and care for mothers and newborns, while paying close attention to staff training and teamwork. He retired from hospital service in 2010 after many years of dedicated service.
Dr Wong cared deeply about the promotion of breastfeeding and Baby‑Friendly practices. During his leadership at QEH, he placed strong emphasis on training midwives and maternity staff, ensuring they were equipped with solid breastfeeding knowledge and counselling skills. This strong foundation of staff training played a crucial role in preparing QEH for Baby‑Friendly Hospital accreditation. He further encouraged the Hospital Authority to support all maternity hospitals to work towards Baby‑Friendly Hospital designation, in collaboration with UNICEF and BFHIHKA. These collective efforts led to QEH becoming the first Baby‑Friendly Hospital in Hong Kong in 2016.
After his retirement, Dr Wong continued to contribute actively to the Baby‑Friendly movement. He served as an assessor for the Baby‑Friendly Hospital designation programme, providing professional advice and sharing his experience with hospitals applying for Baby‑Friendly status. His comments were always practical, supportive and grounded in real clinical experience.
Many former colleagues recalled that Dr Wong led his team at QEH much like a family — offering guidance, encouragement and trust. He was deeply committed to training younger colleagues and supporting professional growth, and also extended the partnership in obstetric development with China. He is highly respected by those who worked with him.
Dr Wong’s contributions have had a lasting influence on maternal and child health services in Hong Kong. His work helped strengthen professional practice, support breastfeeding families, and advance Baby‑Friendly care across the public hospital system.
On behalf of the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association, we extend our deepest condolences to Dr Wong’s family, friends and colleagues. He will be remembered with respect and gratitude.
Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association
21 April 2026