Topic: You have read a news article about an increasing number of deliveries at public hospitals. Write a letter to the editor showing your concern and giving details of the recent situation of public obstetrics services. Suggest what could be done to ensure the welfare of Hong Kong mothers and say why these measures should be carried out. Sign your letter ‘Chris Wong’.
Dear Editor,
I am writing concerning the increasing number of deliveries in public hospitals. The number of deliveries at public hospitals in January and February reached the highest monthly figure in a decade.
As we all know, the public hospitals in Hong Kong are facing the problem of staff shortage. With limited manpower and increasing births, not all mothers-to-be can book a bed for their labour. Among the babies born at public hospitals, 30 per cent are born to mainland mothers. The local pregnant women have a lower chance of enjoying public service since the booking is full eight months before parturition.
The current situation cannot be ignored. The government should take action to protect the right of Hong Kong citizens to enjoy public welfare. First of all, the reservation of obstetric services for local mothers should take precedence over that for mainland mothers. The public services in Hong Kong are mainly for Hong Kong residents. We should let the mainlanders use our services only if there are spare places.
As suggested by Dr. York Chow, the Secretary for Food and Health, the government need to come up with a quota based on facilities, manpower and demand at individual hospitals. This can make the booking system better organized, so the doctors will not have a heavy workload. Also, this method can cut the intake of mainland mothers. Recently, some public hospitals, including Prince of Wales, Tuen Mun and Kwong Wah hospitals, stopped admitting mainlanders. This can help to reserve the limited places for local pregnant women.
Some mainland women have a Hong Kong husband, so their babies are Hong Kong permanent residents. These babies should have the right to be born in Hong Kong. Therefore, not only should those mothers-to-be who are Hongkongers be ensured a place for giving birth, but also those with a Hong Kong husband. Such a policy can be fairer to them because they should be seen as Hong Kong citizens by marriage. They have the right to get a permanent resident identity after getting married with a Hong Kong spouse.
Other than the government, other stakeholders can also help with the problem. For example, the private hospitals should stop expanding their services and drawing public doctors. This can at least stabilize the situation at public hospitals. The universities can provide more places for students to study medicine, so the ratio of patient to doctor can be lowered.
All in all, the birth rate of mainland children in Hong Kong is increasing rapidly. The government should face the problem and handle it quickly to safeguard the welfare of Hong Kong mothers.
Yours faithfully,
Chris Wong