Hong Kong health minister blasts alleged fraudulent issuing of Covid vaccination exemptions; 3 more Hong Kong doctors arrested

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.