A knight hospitaler

LET'S get one simple question out of the way first: does the latest Hong Kong recipient of a knighthood prefer to be called Sir David or Professor Todd? The good doctor hesitates a moment and then says: 'It's up to you. But under this circumstance, Sir David will do.' What appears to be a much tougher decision is whether he should take off his white coat (he has just come from his consulting room) and don on a jacket while his picture is being taken.

Sir David Todd is, indeed, a thoughtful man. Less than five minutes into our interview, he has leapt from his seat twice to bring me a glass of water and a publication detailing his life achievements.

The latter, a 'commemorative volume' prepared by the University of Hong Kong to mark his retirement as the Head of the Department of Medicine in 1989, is offered to save time, something Sir David has little to spare.

Although in semi-retirement, the 67-year-old is constantly on the move, attending conferences and businesses all over the world. This week, he is off to Britain to attend another meeting, having just touched down from Australia.

He is also a man who wears many hats. Currently, the professor is not only the president of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, but also the chairman of the AIDS Trust Fund and a member of the Hospital Authority.

So it comes as no surprise that it's his work and achievements in medicine which Sir David is most keen to talk about. It was his professional life which was recognised and which earned him the a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours List last month.