Medics share stories ahead of Chinese Doctors' Day

Dr Carol Ng, a paediatric radiologist at Hong Kong Children's Hospital, chose a career path she never anticipated. Utilising cutting-edge imaging and virtual reality, she aids young patients with rare congenital heart diseases. As one of many dedicated Chinese doctors, Ng often faces life-or-death decisions. In one case, she halted life support for a newborn baby to obtain a clear scan of his heart.

The baby was reliant on a machine to circulate blood, but the necessary scan couldn't penetrate a specific area while the machine was active. To resolve this, Ng collaborated with an intensivist, anaesthesiologist, cardiologist, and cardiothoracic surgeons. They briefly halted the machine for 30 seconds to allow contrast to reach the required area, resulting in crucial diagnostic images.

Samuel Lo, a blood vessel surgeon at Eastern Hospital, also shares his experiences. Specialising in a technically demanding field, Lo often operates with microscopic precision and complex decision-making to save lives. One example is an acute aortic aneurysm, which can be fatal if untreated. Lo explains that an aneurysm can expand and eventually rupture, leading to severe internal bleeding and death.

However, with swift operation to repair the blood vessel, a patient's life can be saved. Chinese Doctors Day, celebrated annually on August 19, honours medical professionals for their life-saving work. This day was approved by the State Council in 2017 and first celebrated in 2018.