This is the last issue of the
News in 2010. I hope that you will enjoy
reading it during the holidays with the enriched content and
beautiful photos, especially those of the Sports Day and the
prize-winning photos of the Photographic Committee. You will receive at about the same time a
small gift – the HKMA pocket diary specially designed for our members. You can find much useful information such as
useful telephone numbers and advices from the Medical Protection Society. Unique features are the HKMA events, functions
and CME activities printed on the schedule.
It has become a habit to review
the past year and maybe to plan for the coming year during the end of a year. I notice that these kinds of reviews tend to
focus more on negative events. And it is
a fact that negative events do leave more scars on our memories. In this issue, I try to focus more on
positive, enjoyable and encouraging events happened last year. They may not be the most significant ones. My choices will definitely be different from
yours. There are many personal memorable
events, such as graduation, promotion, getting married, giving birth, or just a
pleasurable chat with old friends. Please
don’t forget to bring them up in your review. Buddhist teachings say that forms, names and
concepts are all made up by our minds. Events
just happen as they are, and it is us who attach meanings to them. The following are my medically related picks:
The HKMA 90th Anniversary
- Congratulations to the HKMA. There is a series of celebratory activities with the Charity Concert marking the beginning, and the Annual Ball at New Year’s Eve constituting a perfect ending.
Formation of the Beat Drugs Action Committee (BDAC)
- In response to the serious situation of youth drug abuse and the call from the Chief Executive, the HKMA BDAC was formed this year to coordinate and to promote beat drugs activities by doctors.
- Beat drugs action is one of the important themes of the HKMA 90th Anniversary functions. These include being the beneficiary of the Charity Concert and organizing Public Education Days.
Dr. CHOI Kin was elected the HKMA President
- This was the third time that Dr. CHOI was elected as President.
- His full cabinet also won the seats of Vice Presidents, Hon. Treasurer and Council Members.
Voluntary Medical Insurance Scheme (VMIS)
- The VMIS was endorsed by the Executive Council on September 28.
- The HKMA held a press conference and referred the Scheme as “poisonous pills in sugary coating”.
Human Swine Influenza
- Fortunately, the threat from pandemic Swine Flu did not actualize.
- On the day of writing this Editorial article, it was reported in the newspaper that there had been sporadic cases in England causing deaths from Swine Flu.
Human Swine Influenza Vaccination
- The HK Government was very pro-active in the issue of procurement of vaccines for Swine Flu.
- However, lay intelligence predominated and the response to vaccinate was poor.
- There were cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome suspected to be related to Swine Flu vaccination. Among the victims, there was a doctor who luckily recovered fully.
Public Private Partnership
- The Diabetic Share-care Program had been regarded as an important step towards public private partnership.
- It turned out that the response rate was poor.
- One reason identified for the poor outcome was that the small amount of subsidy which is out of proportion to the market price of diabetic care by general practitioners.
The confusing “Laboratory fees equal rebates in disguise” judgment from
the Medical Council
- A decision from the Medical Council alleged that a doctor charging his patient more than the fee stated by the laboratory for performing laboratory tests was founded guilty of professional misconduct.
- Private doctors were much concerned about the issue, especially after a personal letter issued to all doctors from the Chairman of the Medical Council.
- It turned out that the letter was really personal as it did not reflect the decision nor the view of the Medical Council.
- This controversial and disturbing matter has not been clarified yet. A knife is still hanging above everyone’s head.
The Medical Council stripped itself of the power to review decisions
from inquiry panels
- From the “Laboratory Test” case, a review of the decision of the inquiry panel had been suggested according to power of the Medical Council stated in the Medical Registration Ordinance.
- Out of some inconceivable reasons, the Council stripped itself of this important power.
- This matter has not been clarified yet.
Dangerous precedents concerning the prescription of steroids
- It was decided in several inquiries of the Medical Council that before prescribing steroid to patients, the doctor had to voluntarily explain to the patients the proper name, the nature and the side-effects of steroids. Otherwise it was professional misconduct.
- Many doctors do not agree to the decisions. But these are precedents and doctors need to be aware of these cases.
Organ donations
- A Customs Officer injured his liver seriously during the execution of his duty. His life was saved by a colleague who donated part of his liver to him.
- This piece of news was very heart-warming and encouraging. It set a very good example in the promotion of organ donations.
(Source: HKMA News December 2010)
