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The following is issued on behalf of the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK):

The Licensing Examination of the Medical Council of Hong Kong was introduced in 1996. The latest examination result was announced on December 13, 1998. In response to the request from the press, the Medical Council would like to provide further details about the passing rate of the Licensing Examination.

The Licensing Examination comprises three parts : Examination in Professional Knowledge; Proficiency Test in Medical English and Clinical Examination. Candidates passing all parts of the Examination are required to undergo a 12-month training and assessment in approved hospitals or institutions as interns. Upon successful completion of the internship training, candidates may apply to the Medical Council for registration and be eligible to practise medicine in Hong Kong.

The passing rate of the Examination in Professional Knowledge has increased from 7.14 per cent in 1996 to the present 26.06 per cent. As regards the Proficiency Test in Medical English, its passing rate has increased from 62.86 per cent in 1996 to 86.21 per cent in 1998. The passing rate of the Clinical Examination has remained quite steady, at around 30 per cent for the past three years.

Candidates of the Licensing Examination come from various parts of the world which include Mainland China, Taiwan China, Canada, USA, Philippines, India, Burma, Netherlands, Australia, Pakistan, France, West Indies, Ireland, Brazil and Germany.

Details of distribution and number of candidates sitting the Licensing Examination for the past three years will be sent via ISD facsimile machine later today (Wednesday). Further enquiries can be made to the Secretariat of the Licentiate Committee of the Medical Council of Hong Kong on 2961 8641.

End/Wednesday, January 20, 1999

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