Since the launch of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Healthcare Talents Visiting Programmes last year, 10 doctors, 70 nurses of the first batch and three Chinese medicine experts from the Mainland had arrived at Hong Kong and started participating in the clinical services in public hospitals. The Chinese medicine experts provide training to local practitioners, which helps strengthen the Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine service in Hong Kong, while GBA radiographers have also joined a two-week knowledge exchange programme.

Dr Kuang Yu-kun (right) managed and treated COVID-19 patients in Hong Kong as a member of the Mainland Medical Support Team during the fifth wave of the epidemic and was impressed by the city’s advanced medical system, motivating him to join the GBA Healthcare Talents Visiting Programmes. He wishes to bring this invaluable experience to the Mainland.

Dr Kuang is now working in the Department of Medicine & Geriatrics (M&G) at the Princess Margaret Hospital and says, “most of the patients during my time at the AsiaWorld-Expo were aged over 80 and I had to use the Clinical Management System at that time, all these granted me with the necessary experience that are very useful to my present work.”

Dr Yeung Yiu-cheong (left), Deputy Chief of Service of M&G acknowledges that the cultural differences are inevitable because of the different medical systems in Hong Kong and the Mainland. He points out that Dr Kuang is an experienced clinician who speaks fluent Cantonese and communicates well with patients. “Patients highly appreciated Dr Kuang’s attentive attitude. Doctors from the two places not only can learn from each other but also help relieve manpower pressure,” says Dr Yeung.

Dr Kuang conducts ward round with Dr Yeung and other doctors every morning. After the consultations in clinic, he returns to the wards later in the day to check on the patients and to join the medical team for devising treatment plans for his patients. They also perform bronchoscopy for patients together. “There are not many differences in terms of clinical treatment,” Dr Kuang says. “When I encounter non-clinical problems, such as liaising with medical social workers and making arrangements for patients’ appointments, I do need to get help from other colleagues at first.” Dr Kuang has adapted quickly to the living in Hong Kong. He enjoys hiking, visiting the seaside, and making the most of the city’s natural beauty in his spare time.