Public hospital doctor in Hong Kong accused of misconduct in treating kidney patient who later died

A public hospital nephrologist has been accused of professional misconduct for allegedly failing to give necessary antiviral medication to a kidney disease patient who later died, and of failing to warn the patient of the risks inherent in his course of treatment.

The specialist, Dr Joseph Wong Ho-sing, appeared before the Medical Council today in a hearing that was halted after an hour to give him time to prepare a defence for the second of the two charges, filed just nine days ago.

The council has the power to suspend Wong's licence or remove him from the specialists' registry, among other consequences.

The case stems from Wong’s treatment of Choi Man-chiu, a kidney disease sufferer who also carried hepatitis B. Wong treated Choi’s kidney condition during 2007 and 2008 with steroids and other drugs that could suppress his immune system. But he failed to take the appropriate precautions to avoid inciting a flare-up of Choi’s hepatitis B, the prosecution alleges.

According to local media reports, Wong worked in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital during that time.

Choi, who was in his 40s, died in January 2008. It is still unclear whether he died as a result of Wong’s alleged misconduct.