HONG KONG – In a deeply personal interview on the radio program Happy Party, veteran Hong Kong entertainer Lam Gin Ming shared the harrowing details of a recent health crisis, while also drawing on her long public battle to deliver an urgent message about mental and physical wellbeing.
Lam revealed that in August her doctors diagnosed a severe bacterial upper respiratory infection. They cautioned her that a delay of just two more days in seeking treatment could have allowed the infection to escalate into pneumonia. Her recovery was complicated by resistance to standard antibiotics, forcing her onto a potent two-week course of medication. Though out of danger, she described a persistent, painful cough and severe dryness in her throat and mouth that have yet to fully resolve.
A Brush with a Serious Infection
In a moment of levity, Lam admitted she has struggled with the dietary restrictions of her recovery, confessing she sneaks bites of her favorite green tea chocolate ice cream. Known for eating four of the treats a day before getting sick, she joked that she has now stopped buying them but has not stopped eating them.
The health scare arrived during what Lam noted was a difficult year, coinciding with traditional beliefs surrounding an inauspicious “Red Horse and Red Sheep” cycle. A normally active woman who regularly plays badminton and swims, she also suffered a knee injury that forced the cancellation of a major trip abroad, leading her to abandon all travel plans for the rest of the year.
Friend’s Coma Triggers Call for Senior Health Vigilance
Her own ordeal was mirrored by the serious health crisis of her close friend, 92-year-old acting legend Woo Fung. He was recently hospitalized after a gallstone blocked his bile duct and fell into a coma for four days. While reassuring fans that Woo is recovering well and remains mentally sharp, Lam stressed the incident was a stark reminder for elderly individuals to prioritize regular medical checkups. She specifically urged them to get vaccinated against pneumonia, influenza, and shingles.
Hard-Won Wisdom on Mental Health
Lam, who has been open about her past struggle with depression, spoke at length about the pitfalls of untreated emotional distress. She urged the public to seek professional help without stigma and offered a striking warning against what she sees as a dangerous tendency to cling to the “sick role” for attention.
“Some people don’t want to get better,” she stated plainly. “They enjoy being the center of attention.” Her advice was direct: surround yourself with positive people, reduce exposure to negativity, and learn to slow down and express feelings openly. The conversation prompted co-host Sit Ka-yin to admit that she often follows Lam’s coping strategy, eating a frozen treat to relieve the everyday stress of family life.
Nostalgia for a Golden Era
Turning to her storied career on the legendary 1980s variety show Enjoy Yourself Tonight, Lam recalled the spontaneous energy of live television, where actors riffed off prepared scripts for a roaring studio audience. After the broadcast, the close-knit cast, including icons like the late Lydia Sum, would head to local typhoon shelter seafood boats for late-night bonding.
Lam Gin Ming’s candid conversation wove together nostalgia, hard-won wisdom, and practical advocacy. Her journey from a vicious bacterial infection to advocating for mental health offers a vital reminder that proactive care, strong friendships, and a positive outlook remain essential medicines at every stage of life.
