The number of disciplinary cases involving intern and resident doctors in Hong Kong’s public hospitals has nearly tripled over four years, with lawmakers calling for stronger safeguards to uphold professional standards.Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau revealed on Wednesday that the Hospital Authority recorded 35 disciplinary cases involving intern and resident doctors for poor performance or breaches of professional conduct during 2025-26.The figure rose from 23 recorded in 2024-25, 20 in 2023-24 and 12 in 2022-23. The authority logged 14 cases in 2021-22.Among the cases between 2021-22 and 2025-26, two intern doctors and four resident doctors were dismissed, while the others received verbal or written warnings.Lo said that among the cases, three intern doctors failed to complete the internship due to poor performance, misbehaviour or criminal conviction, leaving them ineligible for registration as medical practitioners.Health chief Lo Chung-mau has pledged to uphold medical professional standards despite revealing a steady rise in disciplinary cases over four years. Photo: Jonathan WongIn addition to those cases, 10 intern doctors failed to complete the internship due to resignation on personal grounds such as health issues or failure to meet the internship requirements, he added.