'HK hospitals could crumble if borders kept open'

A group of doctors and nurses at Prince of Wales Hospital say it is regrettable that government officials have been ignoring calls by health experts to shut the broder. File photo: RTHK

A group of doctors and nurses at Prince of Wales Hospital on Friday warned that the public health system in Hong Kong could crumble unless all visitors from the mainland are banned to prevent the spread of the coronavirus epidemic to the SAR.



In a strongly worded open letter, the doctors lamented that despite calls from various experts on this, government officials have ignored the concerns.



“When respectable leaders of various fields repeatedly stressed the importance of a complete border closure in arresting the spread of the current epidemic, we find it disheartening that sound advice has fallen on deaf ears of the relevant government officials,” the letter said.



The medical workers said they’re “desperately worried” that the public health system will crumble, should more drastic measures not be taken soon enough.



They noted that the public is already panicking because there are not enough surgical masks and alcohol hand rub on the market.



The medical workers urged the Hospital Authority’s chairman, Henry Fan, and chief executive, Tony Ko, to reflect their demands to the government, including ensuring an adequate supply of personal protective equipment to all frontline healthcare workers.



The letter from the doctors ended on an ominous note, saying they will do what is best for the city. "With the best interest of Hong Kong at heart, we would not hesitate to do what is best for everyone in the city we call home," it said.



A consultant doctor, Florence Yap, signed the letter representing a group of doctors and nurses at the hospital’s Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care.