For two years, Professor Albert Chui Ka-keung fought to keep the liver transplant centre open at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He lost the battle - and his job, but remains adamant that tackling the Health Authority head-on was the right thing to do.
The former head of the Chinese University's liver transplant team became a public figure in August 2002, after blowing the whistle on the waste of a donor liver which could have saved a life had budget-conscious health officials not said the operation exceeded a monthly quota.
While it may be excessive to compare him with Jiang Yanyong, the military doctor detained for exposing the mainland's Sars outbreak, there are similarities: both suffered for speaking out in the interests of the public.
Dr Jiang was released from a seven-week detention, while Professor Chui had some of his clinical duties removed in 18 months following his criticisms of the health system, in what he described as 'political persecution' - an allegation that has never been proven.
Earlier this month, he left the Chinese University after his contract was terminated - not by his own choice. He said the university did not renew his contract, adding 'if the university renewed my contract, I would have stayed on to continue the battle'.
The university's liver transplant centre at the Prince of Wales Hospital was officially shut on July 5, and about 20 patients on the waiting list were transferred to the clinic run by the University of Hong Kong at the Queen Mary Hospital.