As a mother, I feel so sorry for my son, who works like a slave in a Hospital Authority hospital. Young doctors cannot quit, as the authority is the only place where they can get the training.
A recent court judgment ruled that the authority was not at fault for imposing overtime on doctors, especially the interns, who work 100 hours per week. Perhaps the judge does not know that doctors are also human beings, who need time to eat and sleep.
The present work conditions in the medical, surgical, orthopaedic and paediatric departments of the Hospital Authority require young doctors taking on-call shifts to work 30 to 36 hours non-stop once or twice a week.
I have never understood why the authority has to take advantage of young doctors, damaging their physical and mental health.
My son told me that the authority had launched a project to promote the occupational health of employees. Isn't it ironic that the authority has not recognised that sleep deprivation and burnout are damaging the health of its employees?
I also do not understand why Hong Kong's chief executive has disregarded the proposal to limit the maximum working hours of employees. Are doctors, or young intern doctors, treated as workers?
MAY CHAN, Sha Tin