Don't Ease The Way For Foreign Doctors:Pierre Chan

Medical sector lawmaker Pierre Chan said on Friday that Hong Kong shouldn't back down on requiring licensing exams for overseas doctors hoping to work in Hong Kong, saying it would be "going backwards" if it let them off the requirement.

Speaking after a radio programme at RTHK, he said the Medical Council is finalising a new proposal to waive internship requirements for foreign specialist doctors.

Members of the Medical Council have already voted down four other proposals in an earlier meeting to discuss the issue.

Chan said they would try to retain more foreign doctors in the Hospital Authority, but stressed that standards must be maintained.

"The licensing examination has been important...when we assess the standard of doctors from different countries all over the world," Chan said.

The Medical Council has come in for strong criticism for refusing to back steps to encourage foreign doctors to the city, including relaxing requirements on internships.

Lawmakers from both sides of the political divide have said they will attempt to strip the council of its power to decide under what conditions overseas doctors will be allowed to work in Hong Kong.

Democratic Party lawmaker Helena Wong has said she may move a private member's bill in Legco to amend laws, and allow doctors who graduated from some famous overseas medical schools to be able to fully practise in Hong Kong without having to sit exams.