Lawmakers have accused the Medical Council of protectionism, over its cancellation of four licensing exams since 2020 for overseas doctors.

The regulatory body cited Covid-19 outbreaks for scrapping exams for candidates who wished to come and practise in Hong Kong.

The council's chairman, Joseph Lau, told a Legco panel meeting that it was difficult to arrange venues and supporting staff for the exams when the coronavirus situation was severe.

But DAB lawmaker Elizabeth Quat accused the council of ignoring the public interest, given the city's shortage of doctors.

"If you don't want to do something, you can come up with a lot of excuses," she said.

Quat urged the government to appoint other organisations, such as the Hospital Authority and Hong Kong's two local medical schools, to hold the exams for overseas doctors.

"Don't let the Medical Council keep controlling the number of doctors we have. The council thinks Hong Kong has too many doctors and it prevents them from making money."

Another lawmaker, Yang Wing-kit, asked the council to arrange additional exams for overseas doctors now the Covid situation has eased.

"Many people think the Medical Council made use of its power to cancel the exams and stop overseas doctors from coming. It's obviously protectionism," he said.