Bowtie, Hong Kong's pioneering virtual insurer, has joined forces with Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong and Pfizer Hong Kong to launch a collaborative initiative aimed at promoting health education and empowering individuals to take charge of their well-being. This partnership seeks to encourage citizens to address health issues proactively, identify underlying causes early, and ultimately enhance their quality of life. As part of this collaboration, the three organizations will provide free health education materials, simple online self-assessments, and support for professional medical consultations.
According to the Primary Healthcare Blueprint, only 23% of Hong Kong’s population has a regular family doctor, underscoring challenges in medical coordination and referral at the community level. This also highlights a lack of awareness among the general public about their own health conditions, which can lead to undiagnosed and untreated diseases. Among these, migraine is one of the most easily overlooked conditions. Globally, over 1 billion people suffer from migraines, with a high prevalence in Hong Kong, affecting 12.5% of the population—approximately 900,000 individuals. Classified as the second leading cause of disability worldwide, migraines significantly disrupt patients’ lives with moderate to severe headaches accompanied by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, and episodes lasting up to 72 hours.
Despite its prevalence, misconceptions about migraines remain widespread. A local survey revealed that many believe migraines cannot be cured or prevented, assume they only affect one side of the head, and fail to recognize their long-term impact. Many patients do not seek medical support, opting instead for self-medication with painkillers, which can lead to chronic migraines or medication overuse headaches, worsening their condition.
To address these challenges, Bowtie, Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong, and Pfizer Hong Kong are taking decisive steps to raise public awareness about migraines. The collaboration includes offline health seminars and the development of educational materials in written and video formats. To further support individuals in identifying potential health issues, Pfizer Hong Kong will offer an online self-assessment tool. This simple questionnaire allows users to evaluate their migraine risk by answering five questions. Bowtie customers identified as high-risk through this assessment will be eligible for a half-price outpatient consultation with a neurology specialist at Gleneagles Hospital.
Fred Ngan, Co-founder of Bowtie, emphasized the importance of combining health and insurance education, stating, “As an online insurance company, Bowtie places great emphasis on empowering individuals with knowledge. This partnership with Gleneagles Hospital and Pfizer Hong Kong represents a significant step toward increasing awareness about migraines and the importance of professional medical support. We are proud to make health information more transparent and accessible to everyone.”
Dr. Kenneth Tsang, Chief Executive Officer of Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong, reiterated the hospital’s commitment to advancing public health, saying, “At Gleneagles, we are dedicated to delivering quality medical services while promoting primary healthcare initiatives such as health education. This collaboration with Bowtie and Pfizer Hong Kong will deepen public understanding of migraines and ensure timely access to professional medical care for those in need.”
Krishnamoorthy Sundaresan, General Manager of Pfizer Hong Kong and Macau, highlighted the broader implications of this initiative, stating, “Pfizer Hong Kong is committed to transforming patients’ lives through innovative breakthroughs. Migraines not only cause physical distress but also significantly impact daily life, including work, study, and social activities. This collaboration will increase public awareness of migraines, reduce the stigma surrounding the condition, and encourage individuals to seek timely treatment, creating a more supportive environment for patients.”
By combining resources and expertise, Bowtie, Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong, and Pfizer Hong Kong aim to make meaningful strides in addressing the knowledge gaps surrounding migraines and supporting individuals in improving their overall health and quality of life.
