Hong Kong should loosen restrictions on overseas doctors to ease staff shortages in public hospitals, says president of city’s academy of medicine
- Professor Lau Chak-sing calls for change in rules governing medical professionals trained overseas
- Debate rages over what to do about critical lack of staff in public sector
The head of Hong Kong’s medical specialist training institution has proposed shortening the year-long internship for foreign-trained doctors working in the city, to ease staff shortages in public hospitals.
But they should serve in the public sector for at least five years before being allowed to practise wherever they choose, said Professor Lau Chak-sing, president of Hong Kong Academy of Medicine.
His remarks on Monday came amid a debate over allowing more foreign doctors to practise in Hong Kong given the public sector’s staff shortages.
Public hospitals have been known to be short of up to 300 doctors at any time, and their resources were further stretched during the flu season, which brought a surge in the number of patients.
Very few overseas doctors come to work in Hong Kong, partly because of the stringent requirements and unfavourable working conditions.