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SCMP Reporter

Q Is it fair to charge mainlanders more for maternity services?

Mainland mothers come to Hong Kong to give birth so their children gain right of abode.  There are two issues: preventing their entry into the city and ensuring payment for their hospital stay.

To prevent entry, some sort of ban on heavily pregnant women travelling by ferry or train needs to be introduced.  To ensure their hospital bill is paid, withhold their child's birth certificate until payment is received. If their child's claim to right of abode is threatened, they will certainly pay.

Dr N. Yuen, Central

Q Should pregnant mainlanders be required to have antenatal checks before entering Hong Kong?

Of course they should. Otherwise, the mainland mothers, babies and Hong Kong will suffer. Antenatal checks find out in advance of birth whether a baby suffers any genetic disease or disability. Such checkups provide expectant mothers with a preview of the status of their baby so they can be well prepared for the birth or decide whether they want to  terminate the pregnancy.

Besides, it can also protect the delivery service provider from infectious diseases.   The Hospital Authority has the responsibility to ensure staff work in a safe environment. Recently, there have been cases of mainland mothers leaving their mentally or physically impaired babies behind in Hong Kong hospitals after giving birth. This is a consequence of the lack of antenatal checkups. The Social Welfare Department has to take care of them, which adds to Hong Kong's burden.

For the sake of the health of infants, I strongly urge the government to make antenatal checks compulsory.

Ivan Lam, Pok Fu Lam

It is of paramount importance to have the pregnant mainlanders go through a check-up before allowing them to come to Hong Kong.

If they have communicable diseases when they arrive in Hong Kong, they may spread them in the maternity ward while delivering their babies. Not only will midwives fall victim, but mainlanders may also give birth to unhealthy babies.

Queenie Au Yeung Hang-ki,  Aberdeen

It is not a matter of whether mainlanders have antenatal check-ups before they use delivery services. The government has to understand why they like to have their babies in Hong Kong. Should the babies be deprived of right of abode and the other benefits due to Hong Kong residents, I think the number of these cases will be minimised and the Hospital Authority will not suffer so many bad debts.

S.L. Yuen

Q Is the Link management treating doctors unfairly?

As a patient, I don't understand how grouping clinics and other medical services together would do us harm.

I would, of course, prefer a more convenient and accessible location for all clinics and medical services, but surely it's a plus not to have to walk through crowds in shopping malls to reach a clinic, not to mention how embarrassing it could be if one was taking a body test sample. Some doctors may like to have clinics at the busiest corner of a shopping mall. From a patient's point of view, however, I don't care very much about that. Rather, clinic locations should always be convenient and easily accessible.

In recent days, with competition in the medical services sector getting stronger, clinics and medical services centres have been greatly improved as a result. Just take a look at the facilities of clinics in private shopping malls.

Look back on those clinics in nearby public housing estate shopping centres. I feel like I am a part of the shopping crowd. My needs as a patient are not being considered.

Can anyone explain why improved facilities like standalone ventilation and washrooms would be against the interests of patients? If setting up an integrated clinic  requires moving existing clinics or upsetting the vested interest of some parties, so be it. I can see no point why doctors would oppose it, as they are supposed to be looking after the patients' interests.

Kenneth Chan, Tin Shui Wai



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