Gov’t plans to recruit more medical specialists from mainland China

Recent government data reveals that Macao Union Hospital currently has about 488 medical staff members and plans to recruit skilled professionals from mainland China to improve the quality and range of its specialized medical services.

According to O Lam, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, the total number of healthcare professionals in Macau exceeded 8,000 as of last November, including over 2,000 doctors and 3,000 nurses, as well as 557 speech, occupational, and physical therapists.

Notably, Macao Union Hospital has met its recruitment target of 719 staff members, with approximately 60% being healthcare personnel.

The hospital in Cotai has been operating on a trial basis for over two years and plans to formally take over the Outlying Islands Emergency Station, currently managed by the Health Bureau (SSM), later this month to provide emergency services.

However, the authorities have clarified that these services do not include emergency center care for severe or critical illnesses like heart disease. Patients requiring such care will still need to be transferred to Conde S. Januário Hospital on the Macau peninsula.

Alongside the launch of emergency services, the hospital will also offer 24-hour laboratory and radiology services for Taipa and Coloane residents, with the scope of these services currently under evaluation.

At a plenary session of the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, authorities acknowledged a shortage of specialist physicians in Macau and stated that efforts will be made to recruit high-caliber professionals from mainland China to provide advanced medical services at Macao Union Hospital.

Plans also include training local resident physicians, leveraging collaborative strengths to offer professional training for Macau’s youth, with the aim of cultivating future specialists dedicated to serving the region.