The clinics, which are funded by donations and operated by medics at great risk to their careers, are part of a network of silent resistance criss-crossing the Asian financial hub to provide support to the "braves" facing tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons. Medics, lawyers, restaurant owners, priests and drivers are among those joining clandestine efforts to help demonstrators maintain a pro-democracy movement that began in opposition to a controversial extradition bill and snowballed into a wider cry for civil rights and free and fair elections. Medical workers hold signs during a protest organised by the medical sector at Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong, in September. Credit:Bloomberg The erosion of trust in the authorities, which have been accused of misusing the public health system to target protesters, has sparked a growing alternative hospital network. Alvin, who did not give his real name, said he offered his skills because it was the "right thing to do".

The demands on his time while treating hundreds of patients over the past few months led to a break-up with his girlfriend and tensions with his parents. But he knows that the risks to his career and freedom are much greater. In November, more than a dozen people, clearly identified as doctors and nurses, were pictured sitting on the ground, hands bound behind their backs after treating casualties of the police siege of the Polytechnic University. Injured anti-government protesters are treated by medics at Hong Kong Polytechnic University last month. Credit:Getty The decision to detain the medics was criticised by Darren Mann, a senior Hong Kong surgeon, as "incompatible with the compact of humanitarianism". For Alvin, the ethics of medical treatment are clear. "People can have different political discourses, but doctors never take sides when treating patients. We never say that if you have another political opinion, you're not allowed to enjoy our service," he said. Protesters seeking treatment link to the hidden clinics via the Telegram social media app, which has been ubiquitous during the movement.

"More and more people are finding [their way to] us because of irritable skin. I guess it's because of the increasing use of tear gas," said Alvin, adding that sore throats, coughing up blood and sprained limbs are also common. "We use donated money to buy our supplies," he explained. Volunteer medics help a woman cross a road during a clash between police and protesters in Causeway Bay district in August. Credit:Getty While Hong Kong slowly buckles under the financial and mental strain of the prolonged protests, the movement has drawn communities together. Restaurants and churches have opened their doors to offer shelter, or a safe place to change out of traditional black clothes to avoid detection.

At the height of the university siege, nearby office workers helped some of the thousands trapped inside to find an escape route, hiding them for hours. "Today's Hong Kong is very different to the Hong Kong of six months ago," said Dennis Kwok, a legislator with the pan-democratic Civic Party. "I think this is the most interesting time in Hong Kong's history, in the sense that a lot of people are connected and united." Riot police detain a man during protests at a shopping mall on Saturday. Credit:Getty He added: "Hong Kong is a symbol of the fight back against authoritarianism. We are right at the front line and the Hong Kong people have demonstrated to the world that they are fearless and that they have the courage to fight for what they are entitled to - freedom, rule of law and democracy." The man with the twisted knee was brought to Alvin's clinic by a volunteer driver - one of many city residents offering to pick up protesters in trouble.

The drivers often patrol near protest sites to help people flee, or can be summoned using a smartphone app. Loading Eddie, a volunteer driver in his 30s, said he didn't feel bold enough to man the street barricades so he bought a car when he realised the public transport system may no longer be safe. But Eddie, who has also provided a home for a protester estranged from his family, said he was also motivated by the guilt that his own generation had not done enough to assist the pro-democracy Umbrella movement of 2014, which had called for universal suffrage but eventually fizzled out. "We gave up too early and afterwards we just started saving money or emigrating to other countries," he said, close to tears.

"This time we won't give up our freedom and values to earn money." Telegraph, London