Hong Kong Medical Council cancels licensing exam for overseas doctors in face of coronavirus outbreak
- Members made decision after being unable to find room big enough to keep candidates apart
- Future of second sitting later in the year is also uncertain
The exam overseas doctors need to take to practise in Hong Kong is to be cancelled amid the outbreak of the coronavirus, the Post learned.
Medical Council members agreed the move during a meeting on Wednesday, two council sources said. Eighty candidates, including 68 from the mainland, who had applied to take the licensing exam in March would be affected, according to council member Dr Gabriel Choi Kin.
“We are worried that candidates from all over the world might be affected by the coronavirus in the city,” Choi said. “We are not able to find an examination centre which can keep candidates apart.”
According to Choi, over the past several years more than 100 candidates have taken part in the two sittings of the exam. In comparison, the number registering for the exam this year was the lowest since 2004.
The three-part examination, which is compulsory for doctors trained overseas who want to practise in the city with full registration, was originally expected to be held from March to June, for its first sitting.
The examination has three parts: written papers on professional knowledge, a test of proficiency in medical English, and an assessment of clinical skills.