The Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (CMC) announced Friday that the list of the first batch of registered Chinese medical practitioners (CMPs) containing a total of 2,384 CMPs has been confirmed.

Daniel Tse Chi-wai, chairman of the CMC, said the CMC will issue the Registration Certificate, Practicing Certificate and Code of Practice for Registered CMPs to these 2,384 registered CMPs by double registered mail starting from next week.

"Apart from registered CMPs who can practice Chinese medicine lawfully, listed CMPs may also continue to practice Chinese medicine," Tse said.

According to the Chinese Medicine Ordinance, listed CMPs can continue to practice until such date as specified by the secretary for health, welfare and food.

To maintain their professional standards and conduct, registered CMPs should meet the requirements of continuing education in Chinese medicine specified by the Practitioners Board and comply with the "Code of Practice for Registered CMPs."

Registered CMPs may use the title Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner in their practices and shall display their Practicing Certificate at conspicuous locations in their practicing premises, while listed CMPs shall display the Notification of Listed Chinese Medicine Practitioner.

"The birth of registered CMPs is an important milestone for the Chinese medicine development in Hong Kong," Tse said.

"The whole registration system aims to safeguard public health, ensure the professional standard of CMPs and recognize the legitimate professional status of CMPs," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2002)