'Mainland Medics Won't Make Decisions On Their Own'

The head of a public doctors group, Tony Ling, said on Tuesday that he doesn't think mainland medical workers in Hong Kong will make decisions on their own when it comes to discharging Covid patients or changing their medication.

He was speaking as the first batch of mainland doctors and nurses arrived to take care of patients at the Asia-World Expo treatment facility.

Ling, who's the president of the Hong Kong Public Doctors' Association, said from what he understands, mainland medical staff have already started taking care of people at the site.

But he said the Hospital Authority hasn't given doctors plans or protocols as to how Hong Kong and mainland staff will work together.

"When the medical team of mainland workers need to [make] certain medical decisions, such as certain prescriptions or maybe discharge from the facilities, the Hong Kong medical workers will screen the cases, and approve these decisions," Ling told RTHK.

The doctor said he's worried there may be differences in how Hong Kong and mainland medical staff treat patients, for example when it comes to resuscitation.

He added that because the mainland professionals are not registered in Hong Kong, they could not be subject to disciplinary action by the Medical Council in relation to any complaints.

Meanwhile, a government Covid adviser, David Hui, said the authorities may give antiviral drugs to private hospitals, if they are willing to take in Covid patients with mild symptoms.

The Chinese University professor said on the same RTHK programme that the pills will not be given to patients under home isolation, however, because Hong Kong doesn't have that many in stock.

Hui said designated clinics and outreach teams under the Hospital Authority will prescribe the drugs to some patients, noting that the medicine is more effective when it's administered promptly.