Hong Kong health minister blasts alleged fraudulent issuing of Covid vaccination exemptions; 3 more Hong Kong doctors arrested
- Lo Chung-mau vows that any abuses of Covid jab exemption system will not be tolerated and promises criminal, professional investigations
- Latest crackdowns come after force detains 76-year-old doctor, accused of charging undercover officers HK$4,000 per certificate
Hong Kong’s health minister has expressed “deep disappointment” and promised criminal and professional investigations after three more doctors were arrested on suspicion of illegally issuing Covid-19 vaccination exemption certificates, which brought the number of people detained on similar charges this month to five.
Executive Council member and former health minister Ko Wing-man, medical sector lawmaker David Lam Lam Tzit-yuen and 10 local doctors’ organisations issued a condemnation of abuse of the jab exemption system a day before the latest crackdown.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said at a press briefing on Thursday: “I am deeply disappointed in the alleged violation of the professional code, and as a doctor myself, I hope our colleagues can comply with the rules so as to gain the trust of the public.”
“Professionals should abide strictly by our professional codes, and follow clinical judgments … For those who have really violated their professional code, or even criminal law, I think the whole society should condemn that,” he said, adding: “I know that the police have already begun investigations and if necessary, the Medical Council will also follow up with appropriate steps.”
Police on Thursday morning detained the three general practitioners – two men and a woman – in separate raids in Chai Wan, Yuen Long and Tung Chung.
Officers also arrested eight patients of a doctor who was on Tuesday night apprehended along with three of his female assistants. The practitioner, 76, was accused of charging undercover officers HK$4,000 (US$510) each for the exemption certificates without proper medical diagnosis.
