Pregnant women from the mainland whose
husbands are not Hong Kong residents will no longer be admitted in local
private hospitals starting next year.
This is
a response to the proposal by newly-elected chief executive Leung Chun-ying and
a 180 degree turn from an earlier opposition to the plan.
This
development brings an even smaller window of opportunity for mainlanders who
wish to obtain permanent residence or perhaps avail themselves of the more
advanced medical facilities now afforded by affluents segments in Hong Kong
society. Such proposal is much more radical than the earlier plan of scaling
down on services provided for mainland maternity patients. But somehow this
move shouldn’t supercede the Hippocratic Oath, a basic pledge by health
professionals of practicing medicine ethically that whoever is in the hospital,
regardless of race or financial state must receive adequate care and attention.
Violation of this promise is highly unlikely, given the fact that it is the
immigration officers who will stop pregnant women from entering Hong Kong’s
territory, and not medical professionals.
It may
be a challenge for border officers to determine whether an incoming pregnant
woman should be allowed in or turned away. According to Ngai Sik-shui,
Immigration Service Officers Association vice-chairman, several hundred extra
officers would be needed to turn back pregnant mainlanders, who don’t have a
delivery booking certificate issued by the Department of Health. Such
certificate may never be issued again if the zero quota is fully implemented.
If
higher hospital charges do not discourage affluent families to cross into Hong
Kong and use its medical facilities, a warning issued by Mr. Leung might just
do the trick. It is believed that the lure of permanent residence privilege
accorded to children born in Hong Kong draws mainland parents to come over. But
the incoming chief executive mentioned last week that children born to mainland
parents would not be guaranteed residency. Should there be no legal obstacles
to prevent authorities from imposing this proposal, this zero quota indicates
Hong Kong is serious, if not desperate, in its effort to keep mainlanders off
from local hospitals.
Should
the doors be closed for mainland parents wishing to come to Hong Kong, nearby
cities may be more than willing to welcome them in their effort to solidify
their role as ideal medical tourism destinations.
Elmer
W. Cagape
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