Let patients stay longer, doctors say
Doctors have called for a relaxation of travel restrictions on mainland patients to allow them to remain in Hong Kong longer to receive medical treatment.
Ten representatives of the Medical Association met Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen yesterday.
They outlined their request to extend visas for mainland patients from 10 days to one month.
Association president Choi Kin said an extension would benefit patients and the medical sector. He said he had had a patient who might have been saved if she could have had extra treatment.
It would help local doctors if the government promoted medical tours to attract mainland patients.
Dr Choi said he hoped the chief executive would convey the association's message to Beijing.
On Monday, non-affiliated legislator Kwok Ka-ki, who represents the medical sector, urged the government to be more flexible in handling visa applications from medical tourists.
He said he would present proposals, such as how the Hong Kong government could encourage and promote medical tourism, to a meeting of the Legislative Council health services panel later this year.
