Lo Chung-mau calls reforms to Medical Council a thorough measure

Speaking on the recently introduced series of reforms to the Medical Council of Hong Kong, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau criticises those calling for the increase of council members who are not part of the field, stressing the measure will not solve core issues.

Lo also confirms certain members of the Medical Council Secretariat neglected their duties by failing to address relevant complaints for up to 15 years.

As the government continues its legal work on reforming the Medical Council of Hong Kong, Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau says on a TVB News programme the reforms are of a "comprehensive, thorough and targeted nature".

Under the new measure, screenings, investigations and inquests at the MCHK will all see major changes, as relevant investigative work will no longer be performed by civil servants in the administrative sector.

Lo reasons that administrative staff may not be able to promptly handle problems pertaining to the medical profession. He hopes more members of the medical sector could take up the investigative role as they possess the necessary professional knowledge.

The reforms also allow the council to propose a deadline for the submission of information during investigations and inquests, and require the party that violated the time limit to pay the litigation fees.

The secretary for health believes the measure helps to deter cases from being delayed for an indefinite period.

This as voices have emerged among the community criticising the Medical Council for including too few non-medical sector council members -- despite them now making up 30% of the body.

Addressing the concerns, Lo criticises those who chant slogans accusing members of the medical sector of defending each other, further saying the addition of more non-medical professionals in the council will not solve core issues.

The latest reforms were initiated as a result of a case of cerebral palsy in a newborn baby 15 years ago. When questioned whether anyone in the Medical Council is responsible for negligence, the secretary for health confirms there were delays throughout the process of the case that should not have happened.

He adds the case has been referred to the Civil Service Bureau and will be handled according to suitable arrangement.