He was speaking ahead of the Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill 2021 expected to be passed by the Legislative Council this week that will allow foreign doctors to apply for special registration in the SAR.

The bill will also allow Hong Kong permanent residents who obtained overseas medical qualifications to take the licensing examination in the SAR and receive internship training in hospitals.

Speaking on radio Sunday morning, Cheung said the brain drain from the public medical system has led to long waiting times for specialist services.

At the same time, he claimed that private doctors who charge much higher fees have enjoyed “overwhelming business,” allowing them to keep opening new clinics.

Cheung also criticized private specialists for being protectionist.

“I think they've already earned so much," he said.

"It's time for them to stop their [opposition] so grassroots and middle class citizens can have good and prompt medical service.

“I think private doctors should go back to public hospitals to help, or even work there three days [a week] for free."

Currently, there are only two doctors for 1,000 Hong Kong citizens – as compared to 2.9 doctors on the mainland and 2.4 doctors in Singapore.

Cheung said the mainland aimed to increase the doctor ratio to 3.2. Using that goal, he estimated Hong Kong lacks 8,000 to 9,000 doctors.

Singapore also faced insufficient doctors eight years ago, but it eased the situation by building new medical schools and allowing overseas medical students to practice there.

Cheung also rejected as a “conspiracy theory” that the bill aimed to open the way for mainland doctors since the SAR medical schools would gatekeep.

He also said the proposed amendments state that employers can choose not to extend a doctor's contract after three years if their performance was not up to standard.