Public Hospital Bond Mooted For Foreign Doctors

DAB lawmaker Ann Chiang says she will put forward a private member's bill that would allow foreign doctors to practise in Hong Kong if they work in a public hospital for five years.

She said she hopes Legco will consider the bill later this year.

Under her proposals, experienced doctors from overseas would no longer have to sit exams when they come to Hong Kong, or undertake a one-year internship.

Instead, they would be given full registration after working in public hospitals for five years, as long as their performance was good.

"The thing is, if they take the exam, they will take a lot of time. They have to study every night. I think this is not our purpose because we want to hire those doctors from overseas. We wish they can serve the public hospitals and patients immediately," she said.

The Medical Council recently rejected plans to ease registration requirements, but is expected to debate the issue again next month.

Democratic Party lawmaker Helena Wong also plans to move a private member's bill to allow medical graduates from prestigious institutions overseas to practise in Hong Kong without having to go through so much red tape.