Chinese medicine is a long-standing practice in Hong Kong, but until last December, employers would not recognise sick and maternity leave certificates issued by Chinese medicine practitioners (CMPs). According to the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong, the city has 5,326 registered CMPs, and about 22 per cent of medical consultations are provided by them. The decision to allow CMPs to issue recognised sick leave certificates has stirred controversy, so Classified Post asked a few people what they thought about employers recognising CMP-issued certificates.
'Why not? There are sicknesses that Chinese medicine can cure that western medicine cannot. The history of Chinese medicine is long and there are fewer side effects, so I feel they have the right to issue sick leave notes because they are just as valid.' Sabrina Ho Hoi-ching, PR
'Chinese medicine predates modern medicine by thousands of years. Chinese medicine can take many different forms, such as acupuncture and herbal medicine - many of these have been integrated into modern medicine with proven results.' Sterling Irminger, banking
'Although Chinese medicine is more about balancing your overall health, and not just targeting a particular sickness the way western medicine does, it comes down to the fact that Chinese medicine can cure people. Chinese doctors can assess a person's health and should be allowed to issue sick leave notes.' Billy Ho Wai-to, IT
'CMPs have legal documents that allow them to practice medicine. An employer should honour the opinion of medical professionals regardless of their style of practice.' Tony Cheong Ka-wing, sales