Doctors Say More Funds Needed For Specialist Care

A group of dermatologists is calling on the government to allocate more resources for specialist medical services. They say there are only 36 doctors treating patients with skin diseases in public hospitals and clinics, but there are more than 50,000 people waiting to be treated.

The doctors' appeal follows a family tragedy last week in Tuen Mun where a 23-year-old woman, who suffered from serious eczema, committed suicide after killing her parents. A note found at the scene blamed the disease.

Dr Leung Sze-kee, president of the Hong Kong College of Dermatologists, says many patients with serious skin conditions can develop emotional problems if they don't get appropriate treatment.

"The emotional and psychological impact on them will make their life almost insufferable," he said.

Dr Leung said, for some skin diseases, a multi-disciplinary approach was needed and this would mean a social worker and a psychologist getting involved, as well as a medical doctor.

The Hong Kong College of Dermatologists and the Hong Kong Society of Dermatology and Venereology have called on the government, along with the University of Hong Kong and Chinese University, to hire and train more new dermatologists.