I refer to the articles by Albert Cheng ('Start the week', South China Morning Post, April 7) and Professor Lam Shiu-Kum ('Winning and losing: the fight against Sars', April 7).
Both contain hostile remarks directed against the Prince of Wales Hospital and the Chinese University's Faculty of Medicine in relation to their handling of, and involvement in, the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars).
These articles have been very damaging to the morale of the frontline staff at the Prince of Wales Hospital, who have been labouring under extreme stress for more than four weeks, despite the inclusion of purported praise. They may also affect the morale of patients under our care.
We find it objectionable and distressing to be subjected to such accusations, in the columns of your newspaper, by individuals who should know better.
The negative innuendoes outlined in these articles can all be countered in open debate, but we do not believe that now is the time to do so.
We are secure in the knowledge that our staff behaved with the utmost professionalism and courage in the face of an extreme emergency and are now also doing their very best to provide support for patients and colleagues in other hospitals such as Princess Margaret Hospital.