First batch of non-local doctors recruited overseas to start working in Hong Kong public hospitals this month
- Positions have been offered to more than 100 non-local doctors following recruitment exercises in Britain and Australia earlier this year, Hospital Authority official says
- Scheme under which mainland medical professionals work in Hong Kong’s public hospitals for up to a year will also become a regular programme
The first 10 non-local doctors recruited overseas in a recent drive will start working in Hong Kong’s public hospitals this month, officials have revealed, as the healthcare sector scrambles to ease labour shortages by tapping various sources.
A separate scheme under which medical professionals from mainland China work in Hong Kong’s public hospitals for up to a year will also become a regular programme.
But the Hospital Authority declined to reveal more details about future developments of the Greater Bay Area Healthcare Talents Visiting Programmes, saying discussions with the mainland were in progress.
Dr Gladys Kwan Wai-man, a chief manager at the authority, told a press briefing on Monday that jobs had been offered to more than 100 non-local doctors, following recruitment exercises in the United Kingdom and Australia earlier this year. So far, 60 to 70 have accepted offers.
Kwan said about 10 would start working in local public hospitals this month.
The authority has launched various recruitment schemes for overseas and mainland healthcare workers this year to try to address manpower shortages in public hospitals.