He was joined by Dr Dennis Lam Shun-chiu, a Hong Kong deputy to the country’s top legislature the National People’s Congress and the city’s richest ophthalmologist; and leading Hong Kong liver expert Professor Lo Chung-mau, head of the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital.

The letter said they were aggrieved at the ongoing social unrest and added those in the medical sector who wanted arrested protesters to be granted amnesty did not represent the whole industry.

University ‘deeply concerned’ after student reporter arrested near clashes

“Our law enforcers, police, have been demonised. Some citizens carry an unnecessary sense of enmity to the government, police and public organisations. They have even destroyed and obstructed public transport,” the letter read.

“These also provoke youngsters to pervert the course of justice. Hong Kong’s rule of law is sinking.”

The letter made five pleas, including an appeal not to glorify or encourage violent rampage and calling on health care staff to uphold their duties and treat patients fairly regardless of their political views.

Speaking on a radio programme on Monday morning, dermatologist and former president of the Hong Kong Medical Association, Dr Louis Shih Tai-cho, who also signed the letter, said most of the doctors who did so were “older and experienced” when compared with younger doctors and protesters who supported the anti-government campaigns.

“They should speak to more experienced doctors for advice. When I was young, I might be fierce when viewing some medical issues. But when time passed by, I got more practical,” Shih said.

When asked if he agreed that police had used excessive force, Shih said: “It is impossible there was not. The force is big. But we have to respect the three separation of powers … Those who took to the streets were more violent.”

Last Wednesday, around 1,000 health care staff published an open letter on a local newspaper’s front page accusing police of brutality and calling the government arrogant.

They expressed support for the five main demands of the anti-government movement, which include establishing a commission of inquiry to investigate police conduct and restarting the city’s stalled political reform process.

Health care staff stage sit-in to condemn police’s ‘use of force’

One of the signatories of last week’s letter, Dr Arisina Ma Chung-yee, a representative of the Public Doctors’ Association, said on the same radio programme it did not represent the entire health care sector as the industry was very divided, as in wider society.

She agreed that those protesters who had broken the law should be arrested, but medical staff were concerned with how they were arrested and how police exercised their duties.

The extradition bill, which Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced on September 4 would be formally dropped, would have allowed criminal suspects to be sent back to mainland China.

Despite acceding to protesters’ call to withdraw the bill, the government has remained under pressure to meet the other four demands.

Meanwhile, at lunchtime on Monday, medical sector workers and anti-government protesters formed a 150-metre human chain inside Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin.

At least 250 health care professionals from a range of departments and disciplines expressed their feelings against the government outside the main entrance of the hospital before lining the corridors inside the medical complex.

Brian Lee, a 28-year-old nurse who supported the action, said: “As a hospital, we know it should be a politically neutral place, but in times of such unrest, we should stand up and say no to our government.”

Orthopedic surgeon Dr Wong, 34, who declined to give his full name, expressed concern for what he said was police’s aggravated and unnecessary violence.

“We have seen a lot of injuries which could totally be prevented if the government had taken appropriate action. Sadly this is not the case and I have to say it has aggravated our burden. It is sad to see the government hurting citizens like this.”

The medics, joined by black-clad and masked protesters, started their demonstration at the main entrance of the hospital before moving up two floors to line either side of a long corridor and sing the new protest anthem Glory to Hong Kong. They also chanted all five demands of protesters, stressing again the government should fulfil all and “not one less”.

A medical researcher, 29, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Everyone has a right to voice their opinion. But there were many protesters who were handled violently. The problem with the brutality of police has to be put into context.” He said he came to express his support for protesters’ five demands.

Korean actor Kim Eui-sung also appeared at the hospital to report for a Korean TV show, which sparked some excitement among protesters and medical staff.

“I want to express the true situation in Hong Kong to a Korean audience,” said Kim, who had previously showed admiration for protesters.

A nurse, surnamed Lee, 28, questioned the validity of the pro-police medical sector petition, arguing that some of the 500 names on the list were duplicated, though he respected opinions from all sides.

“I think the medics are a great contrast to the way Hong Kong police have conducted themselves,” she said.

“As medical staff we have limited room to voice out, we have to respond to our duty and we can’t take sick leave to protest. But, we can protest here and see how our peers feel about Hong Kong.”