Medical Council Closes Door On Foreign Doctors

The Medical Council on Wednesday rejected the idea of relaxing requirements for foreign doctors taking up positions in the city's public healthcare system, despite a shortage of staff.

Four proposals were reportedly discussed at a meeting of the council, including dropping the need for specialists trained overseas to carry out a half-year internship, as long as they have passed the council's licensing examination and are willing to serve in public hospitals for at least three years.

The chairman of the council, Joseph Lau, said while all 29 members present at the meeting agreed that there is an acute shortage of doctors in public hospitals, a majority of them voted against the plans.

He described this as "regrettable" and said the proposals would have provided the most efficient and effective solution to the lack of doctors.

Lau said the council will now have to consider other options to address the manpower crunch.