December 20, 2000
The following is issued on behalf of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong:
The Chairman of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMC), Dr Daniel Tse Chi-wai reminded all eligible persons to submit their applications for registration of Chinese medicine practitioners under the transitional arrangements before the deadline for application on December 30 this (2000) year.
Dr Tse today (December 20) said: "With 10 days including the Christmas holidays to the deadline, persons who were practising Chinese medicine on January 3 this (2000) year should take full advantage of the registration under the transitional arrangements and submit their applications as soon as possible. Otherwise, they would not be allowed to continue practising Chinese medicine."
The CMC has received more than 5 200 applications since the start of the four-and-a half-month application period on August 16 this (2000) year.
"My colleagues in the CMC Secretariat have been busy in assessing the experience and academic qualifications of the applicants and the vetted applications will be submitted to the CMC Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board for approval."
"Under the transitional arrangements, applicants who had continuously been practising Chinese medicine in Hong Kong for 15 years or more immediately before January 3 this (2000) year OR for 10 years or more but less than 15 years and have obtained academic qualifications acceptable to the Board, will be eligible to apply for registration as 'Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioners'."
"Other applicants allowed to become 'Listed Chinese Medicine Practitioners' will be subject to the Registration Assessment or be required to pass the Licensing Examination before they are eligible to apply for registration as 'Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioners'," Dr Tse said.
Established in September last (1999) year under the Chinese Medicine Ordinance, the CMC is an independent statutory body responsible for implementing regulatory measures on the practice, use, manufacture and trading of Chinese medicine.
Two Boards are established under the CMC. The Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board is responsible for regulating the practice of Chinese medicine, while the Chinese Medicines Board is responsible for controlling the use, manufacture and trading of Chinese medicines. Six Committees are set up to assist the two Boards in pursuing their functions.
Dr Tse said the CMC had launched an extensive publicity programme on the transitional arrangements for the registration of Chinese medicine practitioners. "The programme included press conferences and briefings, press releases and featured articles, TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest (APIs), leaflets and posters and roving exhibitions.
"The CMC has sent letters to some 6 800 Chinese medicine practitioners who participated in the 'Enrolment of Chinese medicine practitioners' in 1995 as well as local Chinese medicine practitioners associations and Chinese medicines retailers."
"In addition, briefing sessions and seminars have been organised for representatives of more than 40 Chinese medicine practitioners associations," Dr Tse said.
For enquiries, please call the enquiry hotlines 2574 9999 and 2574 4333.