To drive the development of local medical education and research, the Health Bureau (HHB), in collaboration with the Hospital Authority (HA) and the two medical schools of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), introduced a dedicated dual-track development pathway for medical, teaching and research talents who integrate clinical practices, teaching and research in their work. Under this pathway, doctors aspiring to engage in medical, teaching and research work would hold positions at both the HA and the designated university, and could flexibly allocate their time between clinical services, teaching and research work as needed.

     The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said today (July 28), "The dual-track development pathway is a new initiative that goes beyond the existing employment arrangements in Hong Kong's public healthcare institutions and medical schools. It provides a more fitting professional development pathway for composite talent engaged in medical, teaching and research work, with tailor-made appointment and clinical work arrangements and a promotion ladder commensurate with the nature of their work. It also provides stronger support for their teaching and research duties, including conferring the title of university professor. This arrangement signifies a breakthrough of institutional framework through collaboration between the HA and the two local medical schools to train and retain medical, teaching and research talent.

     "A doctor's clinical work is inextricably linked with teaching and research. The data and experience from clinical work are an important foundation for medical research, while the clinical application of the latest research results can further enhance the quality and quantity of clinical services. The two are complementary. I hope that the dual-track development pathway will enable more doctors who aspire to engage in medical, teaching and research work to realise their ambitions and contribute to Hong Kong's medical innovation and research while providing clinical services to patients."

     He continued, "The establishment of a dual-track development pathway creates a more favourable environment for nurturing clinical, teaching and research talent. This complements the various reforms within our healthcare system put forward by the HHB in recent years, including preparing for the establishment of the 'Hong Kong Centre for Medical Products Regulation', setting up the 'Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute', promoting clinical trials, and planning for the establishment of a third medical school. All these initiatives will consolidate Hong Kong's position as an international health and medical innovation hub. I also hope this new measure will attract more non-locally trained doctors who are interested in clinical research and innovation to come to Hong Kong, to further strengthen the medical talent pool for the benefit of the public."

     The HA and the two medical schools have started the relevant recruitment work progressively. To date, five doctors have been officially selected to participate in the dual-track development pathway. Among them, four doctors from the Hong Kong Children's Hospital were appointed by the medical school of HKU, focusing on the research and treatment of various diseases covering paediatric malignant tumours, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, neonatal intensive care, differences in sex development in children, sudden cardiac death and cardiovascular disease in the young, paediatric hematology and oncology, and the development of simulation-based learning and skills training. Another doctor from the Department of Intensive Care of the New Territories East Cluster was appointed by the medical school of CUHK, focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, research and professional training in pain management and intensive care. Furthermore, various doctors from the New Territories East Cluster are expected to join the medical school of CUHK through the dual-track development pathway within this year, further expanding the talent pool for the integration of teaching and clinical work.

Ends/Monday, July 28, 2025
Issued at HKT 13:19

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