Proposed cure for Hong Kong’s health system will not give hospitals the lifeline they need

 17-Sep-16, South China Morning Post

Medical experts warn that government plans to address the acute manpower shortage plaguing Hong Kong’s health system are unlikely to ease the pressure. In recent years, public hospitals have faced a chronic shortage of about 300 doctors, leading to massive spikes in waiting times and a system that is often stretched to breaking point.

Image: South China Morning Post

Paul Yip Siu-fai, professor of social work and administration at the University of Hong Kong, said: "If the government continues to use the same methods, I’m not sure they will be able to cope with this problem. We do not produce enough doctors, and the private sector is also drawing people out [of the public system]. We have to think about how we can increase our manpower base."

The public sector serves about 90 per cent of the city’s patients but only employs 40 per cent of the doctors.

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 Elsevier APAC Healthcare Update