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Using the title of "doctor"
Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau Wai-hing and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
In view of a recent court case in which the prosecution dropped the charge against a naturopath for using the title of "doctor", will the Administration inform this Council whether it will consider amending the Medical Registration Ordinance so that any person who practises a medical profession but who is not registered under the Ordinance can use the title of "doctor", if not, why not?
Reply:
Section 28(1) of the Medical Registration Ordinance states that a person will commit an offence if he "wilfully and falsely" takes or uses any name, title, addition or description implying that he is qualified to practise medicine or surgery or that he is a registered medical practitioner. The intention of this provision is to protect members of the public by deterring persons from using the title of "doctor" or "ysang" to mislead or deceive others that he is qualified to practise medicine or surgery.
Practitioners of alternative medicine or persons with bona fide doctorate degrees who do not hold themselves to be practitioners of medicine and surgery are not prohibited from using the title of "doctor". We believe the relevant section in the Medical Registration Ordinance is clear and requires no amendment.
End