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More resources needed to improve ‘grossly inadequate’ health services for skin disorders in Hong Kong, dermatologist warns

Tommy Luk provides free consultations and runs non-profit Hong Kong Dermatology Foundation to raise awareness of skin conditions

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Dr Tommy Luk spent more than 20 years treating skin conditions in Hong Kong’s government hospitals and clinics. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

To veteran dermatologist Tommy Luk Nai-ming, a 23-year-old Hong Kong woman’s suicide note last month saying her eczema left her feeling she would be better “dead than alive” underscored how distressing skin disorders could be.

“Skin diseases can lead to many psychological problems,” said Luk, who retired in 2015 after spending more than 20 years treating skin conditions in Hong Kong’s government hospitals and clinics.

It was not known if the woman – whose parents were also found dead with stab wounds in their home – received treatment from the public sector.

But to Luk, it was a stark reminder of the need for more resources to develop public dermatology services, which he described as “grossly inadequate”.

Dr Tommy Luk runs a clinic offering free consultations. Photo: K.Y. Cheng
Dr Tommy Luk runs a clinic offering free consultations. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

To give the poor and elderly a “helping hand”, the 64-year-old provides free consultations and runs the non-profit Hong Kong Dermatology Foundation to raise awareness of skin conditions.

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