A grotesque hangover from the handover
It would be amusing if it were not so tragic to see two senior medical politicians trashing each other through the media.
In the letter by Dr Donald Li, president of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (“Only doctors and dentists are on council”, April 25), he slammed the assertions made by lawmaker Dr Kwok Ka-ki, who slammed quite a few people.
It is tragic because they are both fighting for influence and control over a grotesque hangover from the handover. The Medical Council of Hong Kong is based on the prevailing influence of the General Medical Council at the time of the return of the colony to China.
It was the far-reaching vision of Margaret Thatcher and Deng Xiaoping (鄧小平) which has allowed this period of freedom and autonomy, in order to show what Hong Kong can do when left to its own devices. This freedom gives Hong Kong a unique opportunity to grow and develop and re-engineer for the 21st century. The Medical Council is out of date, out of time, out of order. The government and Legco would do well not to ask doctors in Hong Kong for their views on their own professional regulatory authority.
What would be most sensible and would not involve any loss of face would be to open up communication with the General Medical Council in London and ask how they have come to be so different from the old style, the Hong Kong style, regulatory authority – an even number of professional and non-professional members on the council; revalidation; constant professional development; fast-tracking complaints and concerns, and ensuring standards are maintained.
The General Medical Council is not perfect but it makes the Medical Council look self-serving.