Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ13: Development of local Chinese medicine
Following is a question by the Hon Cyd Ho and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the Legislative Council today (July 9):
Question :
It has been reported that although bachelor's degree courses in Chinese medicine are being offered by three local universities, no internship training opportunities in the hospitals of the Hospital Authority ("HA") are provided to Chinese medicine students. As a result, students studying Chinese medicine at these universities have to go to Chinese medical institutes in the Mainland for internship training. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) it plans to provide internship training for Chinese medicine students in the HA hospitals; if so, of the implementation time; if not, of the impact of the non-provision of such training in Hong Kong on the development of local Chinese medicine;
(b) it pays any emolument to students undergoing internship training in the Mainland Chinese medical institutes; if so, of the amount and how this amount compares to that payable to medical school students on internship training in local hospitals; if not, the reasons for that; and
(c) it has included care in Chinese medicine in the existing health care training courses to cater for the need in the current development of Chinese medicine; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Answer :
(a) The Government is committed to promoting the development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong. Apart from establishing the statutory framework to regulate the practice, use, trading and manufacture of Chinese medicine, we have undertaken to introduce Chinese medicine into the public health care system. As a first step, we shall set up three Chinese medicine out-patient clinics in selected public hospitals in 2003/04. These clinics will provide some training opportunities for Chinese medicine students.
(b) Students pursuing undergraduate degree courses in Chinese medicine offered by local universities attend practical training in local and/or Mainland Chinese medicine institutes which is an integrated component of the respective courses. The Government is not providing any emolument to students undergoing practical training in Chinese medicine. Students undergoing such training are not qualified or registered to practise Chinese medicine. They should be distinguished from western medicine interns working at hospitals who have already completed the required education and training and are registered in the provisional register. The latter perform clinical duties in hospitals for a period of 12 months under supervision, which is a pre-requisite for full registration.
(c) Local universities offering health care training courses have included Chinese medicine in the curriculum of these courses. The nursing degree course of the Chinese University of Hong Kong includes a module on introduction to Chinese medicine. The bachelor and higher diploma courses in nursing of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University include two compulsory modules on concepts of Chinese medicine and Chinese medicine care and treatment. The bachelor of nursing course run by the University of Hong Kong includes a course on introduction to Chinese medicine and alternative therapies in its fourth year of study. In addition, the HA has incorporated in the curriculum of its higher diploma in nursing a module on the basic concepts of Chinese medicine in nursing since September 2002.
End/Wednesday, July 9, 2003
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