The first group of Hong Kong doctors to have their professional qualifications recognized by the mainland, under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA), will start to practice in Guangzhou this September.

A pact was signed yesterday between the China Hong Kong Society for Medical and Health Care (SMHC) and Clifford Hospital in Guangzhou, with a view to enhancing communications between the professionals from the two places on medical services.

A group of 14 Hong Kong doctors will start their careers in Clifford Hospital in September, providing services in medicine, surgery, gynaecology and paediatrics.

Their qualifications have been recognized by the mainland, thanks to CEPA, which allows an easier entry for Hong Kong professionals into the mainland's market.

SMHC Chairman Ko Wing-man, one of the pioneering doctors, said that the exchange of medical knowledge between the mainland and Hong Kong has been going on for years, and the CEPA further strengthens contacts between the two sides.

"It is a direct interchange of ideas and opinions as Hong Kong doctors work in a hospital on the mainland," Ko said.

Hong Kong patients in Clifford Hospital, who constitute more than 30 per cent of the total, will have the choice to be treated by a Hong Kong doctor, if they request it.

Another pact was also signed between Clifford Hospital and the Chinese Medicine Departments of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the Hong Kong Baptist University and the HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education.

The pact states that students from the Chinese medicine departments of the three schools, starting from this September, can begin their internships at Clifford Hospital.

(China Daily HK Edition July 21, 2005)