More doctors needed: York Chow

October 25, 2011

Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow says the public sector really needs more doctors and the Medical Council should consider accepting qualified overseas doctors able to perform satisfactorily in the Hospital Authority.
 
Speaking to the media today after attending a public function, Dr Chow said it is important to note Hong Kong really requires more doctors, particularly in the public sector, but it is also very strict in vetting overseas doctors’ qualifications.
 
“It is related to the very strict control of working hours of doctors in the public sector in the last few years, and is also related to certain wastage of doctors in some specialties,” he said.
 
“In case any overseas doctors who are qualified on par with the standard of Hong Kong doctors, and are willing to work in Hong Kong and able to perform satisfactorily in the Hospital Authority, I think the Medical Council should take consideration.
 
“We are not indiscriminately allowing [overseas] doctors to practice in Hong Kong. We are still very strict in vetting their qualifications and experiences,” he said, adding the authority must listen to the views of local doctors organisations.