The data reveals that there is a shortage of medical laboratory technicians in Hong Kong. How many people are practicing in public and private institutions in Hong Kong?

The fifth wave of the epidemic continues to spread, and the latest daily testing volume has reached 300,000. When the nationwide compulsory inspection is implemented next month, the demand will rise sharply.

At present, testing is mainly carried out by the HA and private laboratories. Last year's medical manpower projection study pointed out that there will be a shortage of medical laboratory technicians in the next 20 years. How many medical laboratory technicians are there in Hong Kong at present?

What percentages are practising in the public sector and in the private sector?

According to the "2020 Medical Manpower Projection Study" commissioned by the Food and Health Bureau and published in 2021, there is a shortage of medical laboratory technicians. It is estimated that there will be 294 shortages in 2020, which means that Hong Kong was already short of manpower before the outbreak.

According to the list of registered medical laboratory technologists, as of the end of last year, there were 4,181 registered medical laboratory technologists in Hong Kong, 198 more than in 2020, but still unable to make up for the lack of 294 people indicated by the research last year, and the industry demand continued to rise. , it is estimated that the latest manpower shortage is at least 100 people.

Although there are currently about 4,000 registered medical laboratory technologists, according to the previous statistical survey on the medical and health service workforce, about 7% to 9% are non-practicing in Hong Kong, retired, engaged in other industries, etc. After deducting these non-practicing persons, it is estimated that the actual There are about 3800 to 3900 people practicing in Hong Kong.

Medical tests are mainly divided into clinical biochemistry, cytopathology, hematology and microbiology, while the detection of new coronary pneumonia is carried out by the microbiology department.

According to the 2020/21 Annual Report of the HA, there are currently 1,732 medical laboratory technologists and laboratory technicians under the HA, but it is unknown how many of them belong to the Department of Microbiology.

According to the 2017 Health Service Manpower Statistics, about 35% of the practitioners practice in the private sector, and it is estimated that there are currently around 1,500 in the private sector with the same proportion.

Under the new crown pneumonia epidemic, samples are currently tested by the Hospital Authority, or by the Public Health Laboratory Services Office after an initial positive test by a private laboratory. As of February 25, there are currently 32 private laboratories accredited by the Department of Health. , 9 more than in February last year.

On the other hand, before the outbreak of the epidemic, the business revenue of medical laboratory testing has been on the rise in recent years. In 2019, the revenue of medical laboratory testing reached 2.7 billion yuan, an increase of 42% compared with five years ago, making it the most profitable testing service in the testing and certification industry. business.