How long will it take to study the relaxation of overseas doctors in Hong Kong?

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Written by: Commentary Editing Room

2020-11-27 17:30

Last update date: 2020-11-27 17:30

After the "Policy Address" was published, the Chief Executive Carrie Lam mentioned the shortage of doctors in Hong Kong in a question and answer session, and said that he would actively study to relax the threshold for overseas doctors to come to Hong Kong.

However, research and controversy on this subject have existed for many years. The Policy Address did not mention anything about it. It is hard to say that the authorities have determined to overthrow their vested interests and try to relieve the pressure on the medical system, which is anxious to the public.

Zhang Yuren of the Liberal Party requested the introduction of overseas doctors.

(Photo by Zheng Zifeng)

Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said in a question and answer session in the "Policy Address" that the current shortage of pediatricians in the Department of Health may cause children with special learning needs to miss the prime time for evaluation. Therefore, the authorities will seriously study the relaxation of overseas doctors to practice in Hong Kong, and the target is mainly Overseas trained Hong Kong people or the second generation of Hong Kong people.

Although members of the Medical Council think there is room for discussion on the proposal, they also stated that the plan must maintain the level of doctors.

The population of Hong Kong is aging rapidly. I believe anyone who has used the public medical system will feel the pain of a severe shortage of doctors in Hong Kong.

In 2019, the ratio of doctors per capita in Hong Kong was two doctors per 1,000 people. This number is not only among the lowest in advanced places in Asia, but also only 60% of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

According to the information of the Legislative Council, in 2019-20, the cumulative number of doctors in the HA is about 260, while the attrition rate of full-time doctors over the same period is 5.4%, which is equivalent to 322 full-time doctors.

The most direct impact of the shortage of medical staff is the increase in the number of people waiting for public medical services. This not only increases the number and time of public medical services, but also indirectly increases the chance of medical accidents.

Although the Chief Executive emphasized in the question and answer meeting, "I also have the determination to fight this battle", but in the political context of Hong Kong, "active research" mostly repeats the completed steps and responds to all parties with "dragging words". pressure.

As early as the 2018-19 session, the Legislative Council has conducted research on the introduction of overseas doctors to evaluate the policies and effectiveness of Singapore and Australia.

Now the Chief Executive is reiterating the serious study of the relaxation of overseas doctors to practise in Hong Kong, whether it is because the past research has not been "serious" to overthrow and start again, or is afraid of offending vested interest groups, I believe that only she knows.

It is true that the controversy of relaxing the practice of foreign doctors is not small.

Proponents believe that the introduction of overseas doctors can not only immediately relieve the shortage of manpower and improve the quality of medical services, but also provide patients with more choices in medical services, increase industry competition, and reduce fees; opponents question that overseas doctors may not only be possible Improving service standards will increase the chances of lowering the quality of medical care. At the same time, it may also create language and cultural barriers and fail to communicate effectively with patients.

However, it can be seen from the above statistics that it is an objective fact that there are fewer doctors in Hong Kong than in other advanced countries. However, it takes ten years to train local specialists.

Therefore, the question is not whether to introduce it or not, but how to ensure that its medical skills can be in line with Hong Kong.

As pointed out in the “01 View” in the past, the Hong Kong government can refer to Singapore’s practice and draw up a list of exemptions for graduates of high-quality colleges and universities, and choose the best to ensure the quality of services of overseas trained doctors, while also alleviating the pressure of insufficient medical care. Solve the urgent needs of the people.

It is an indisputable fact that Hong Kong’s public medical system is full of holes. The Chief Executive only mentioned overseas doctors in the questioning meeting without making a clear commitment in the "Policy Address". It is inevitable that people will eventually fall into "like other policies". The cycle of infinite research.

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