Council says demand for healthcare practitioners has surged

The Council for Medical Affairs of the Health Bureau (SSM) has met with the Talents Development Committee (SCDT) to report on the status of the employment market in the health sector and the certification of qualified healthcare professionals in Macau.

According to the SCDT, data from the last five years shows that the health sector has recorded an increased demand from the population. The statistics indicate that the demand for physicians, nurses, pharmacy professionals, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and dentists has grown by over 10 percent.

The number of professionals working in pediatric health grew by 50 percent in the last five years, due to an increase in population demand.

The president of the Council, Lei Chin Ion, noted that the number of professionals has been stable, although there has been an increase in the ratio of nurses to residents.

Lei said that changes to the hiring and training of professionals in this field has taken place according to the five-year development plan of the MSAR.

Referring to the legislative process of the Qualification Regime for the Health Professionals, the secretary-general of the Council, Leung Pui San, reported that consultation on the topic with the public and the health sector has concluded. The relevant bill is expected to be voted through soon.

Leung remarked that in the future, the bill would allow for standardization in the evaluation of all health professionals from the public and private sectors.

Leung also noted that the future creation of the Medical Academy, which will create four schools and offer training in 34 medical specialties, will upscale the conditions for professionals to develop their skills.