'Standard Of Overseas Med Schools Is Our Main Focus'

Health Secretary Sophia Chan said where a medical school is located is not part of the consideration, when authorities decide whether to include it under a scheme that will allow non-locally trained doctors to practise in Hong Kong.

To ease a manpower shortage in Hong Kong, the special registration scheme allows non-locally trained doctors from recognised universities to practise in the SAR's public medical sector without taking a local licensing exam.

The first list of recognised universities announced last week includes 27 schools from the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and Singapore, drawing disappointment from medical sector lawmaker David Lam over the lack of mainland institutions selected.

Speaking on an RTHK show on Monday, Professor Chan said authorities hope to announce the second list next month.

She said the government-appointed committee tasked with compiling the lists will consider factors like the school's international rankings and more.

"We won't say we must include medical schools from a particular country. We mainly consider the school's standards, and whether the standard of their curriculum is comparable to those of Hong Kong's two medical schools," Chan said.

"We will promote the scheme widely, as we hope doctors – especially Hong Kong residents – who are studying or working overseas and intend to come, are encouraged to come back as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, the health chief said authorities have not found any violations so far since Hong Kong's ban on the sale and import of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products kicked in over the weekend.

Professor Chan said authorities will continue to crack down on illicit cigarette activities, and she urged the public not to buy products through black market channels.

The government will also step up efforts to encourage people to quit smoking, the minister said.