Medics share stories ahead of Chinese Doctors' Day

Dr Carol Ng, a paediatric radiologist at Hong Kong Children's Hospital, pursued a career she never anticipated. Now, she employs advanced imaging and virtual reality to assist young patients with rare congenital heart diseases. For Ng, her role involves making life-or-death decisions daily. One such instance involved halting life support for an ill newborn to obtain a clearer scan of his heart.

The baby was on a blood-pumping machine, but the necessary contrast for the scan couldn't reach a specific area when activated. Ng collaborated with an intensivist, anaesthesiologist, cardiologist, and cardiothoracic surgeons to stop the machine for 30 seconds temporarily to acquire the required images. After thorough discussion and preparation, they successfully executed the scan, obtaining valuable diagnostic images for the next treatment steps.

Samuel Lo, a blood vessel surgeon at Eastern Hospital, also works in a demanding field that necessitates microscopic precision and complex decision-making. An example of his work is addressing acute aortic aneurysm, a condition that can be fatal if not treated promptly. Lo explains that an aneurysm can expand and rupture, leading to severe internal bleeding and death.

However, if the blood vessel can be repaired swiftly, the patient's life can be saved. Chinese Doctors' Day, celebrated annually on August 19, honors medical professionals for their life-saving efforts. This tradition was established by the State Council in 2017 and was first observed in 2018.