Doctor resolves ‘family versus duty’ dilemma

The novel coronavirus epidemic left Hong Kong doctor Hui Kimming in a quandary — should he stay with his family in the city or continue attending to his patients in Shenzhen, Guangdong province?

For the past seven years, the 44-year-old has spent four hours a day on a round-trip commute between Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital in Shenzhen, where he runs the Department of Respiratory Medicine.

In addition to his normal duties, Hui undertakes clinical work and teaches on both sides of the border.

Despite his hectic schedule, Hui still tries to find time for his family. “During the day, I belong to Shenzhen. At night, I belong to Hong Kong,” he said, half in jest.

The epidemic, which erupted in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, in late December, put Hui’s daily commute between Hong Kong and Shenzhen on hold after Feb 8.

That was the date the Hong Kong government decreed that everyone who had visited the mainland in the two weeks prior to entering Hong Kong would be subject to a mandatory quarantine period of 14 days.

Hui had to choose between working from home in Hong Kong and staying in Shenzhen to help fight the epidemic with his colleagues.

Remaining in Hong Kong would allow him to offer much-needed care for his family amid the epidemic, while staying in Shenzhen would mean finding lodgings and coping with longer working hours. In addition, he would face a higher risk of becoming infected with the virus.

After careful consideration, Hui chose to stay in Shenzhen — at least until the Hong Kong quarantine requirement ends — because his patients are his top priority.

To date, the coronavirus has claimed more than 110,000 lives globally and infected nearly 2 million people worldwide.

As one of four first-tier cities in China, Shenzhen has been hard hit by the pandemic. Across the border, Hong Kong’s tally has also exceeded 1,000.

Since Shenzhen’s first coronavirus patient was hospitalized in early January, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, located in the city’s Nanshan district, has stepped up the fight against the epidemic.

The hospital’s outpatient unit that deals with coronavirus patients has admitted early January.

To prevent any cross-infection, the unit has set aside several independent wards for patients with the virus.

Hui returned to Shenzhen on Jan 25, the first day of the Year of the Rat, after spending Lunar New Year’s Eve with his family in Hong Kong.

Carrying little luggage, he didn’t intend to stay long in Shenzhen — possibly less than 10 days. However, he was forced to remain in the city after Hong Kong enforced the mandatory quarantine measure.

Hui had to stay in a hotel near the hospital and foot the bill himself, while spending most of his time at work.

Overseeing his department, he plays a key role in the efforts to beat 1,000 patients since the illness, which can cause severe respiratory problems.

By early February, the hospital had admitted about 50 patients suspected of having the illness, who took up almost all the respiratory isolation observation wards in three sections.

In addition to implementing the hospital’s preventive measures against the disease, Hui monitors the patients’ health, sometimes working late into the night.

There are about 50 other patients in the hospital with illnesses unrelated to the coronavirus, including seasonal influenza, asthma and lung cancer.

There are 14 doctors in the department and they attend to more than 100 patients.

Despite the heavy workload, Hui is coping well. He believes that his workload pales in comparison to that of front-line nurses, who spend long periods in close contact with potentially infected patients.

“Doctors are also human beings. They do feel tired and depressed at work and worry about the epidemic. Despite the pressure, they continue to do their job. I think this is professionalism,” he said.

The 19 doctors from Hong Kong who work at the hospital are staying in Shenzhen, accounting for about half of the hospital’s medical staff members from across the border.

Since February, the hospital has provided lodgings for the doctors.

Despite the pressure, Hui is positive and confident the nation will ride it out, based on the experience acquired from dealing with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome epidemic in 2003 and in light of the control measures in force.

“We managed to control the SARS epidemic. I believe, this time, we will also make it,” he said.