Covid-19: in Hong Kong, the sending of caregivers from China sparks debate

Patients with Covid-19 wait for treatment outside Caritas Hospital in Hong Kong on February 18, 2022. AP - Kin Cheung

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

While Hong Kong has just passed the symbolic milestone of 1 million people infected with Covid-19, the special administrative region has welcomed several groups of doctors and hospital staff from China.

But this reinforcement is not necessarily well perceived by the population or by health professionals who fear misunderstandings and problems of responsibility.

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With our correspondent in Hong Kong

,

While the fifth wave of Covid-19 in

has overwhelmed hospitals and also infected at least 1,000 doctors and nurses, the arrival this week of 400 medics from

to lend a hand has not been met with enthusiasm .

.

Do the nursing staff look favorably on the arrival of Chinese colleagues?

“ 

“Explains this nurse mobilized in one of the hospitals assigned to treat patients with Covid-19.

The issue of physician liability

There is also the question of the possible responsibility of these Chinese doctors authorized to practice in Hong Kong without a license.

But the TV reporter from Now TV station, who raised the issue at a press conference, was attacked in a very virulent way by the pro-Beijing press and by the former chief executive of Hong Kong, CY Leung, who on his Facebook page wondered " 

 ".

The journalists' union, HKJA, came to the journalist's defense and regretted that Now TV apologized for a legitimate question.

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• hong kong

• China

• Coronavirus