Health secretary Lo Chung-mau has said more doctors in Hong Kong – especially younger ones – are leaving public hospitals to start private practices, warning that the departure of medical professionals will only set off a vicious cycle.

On an RTHK programme aired on Sunday, he said the public healthcare system takes care of nearly 90 percent of patients in Hong Kong, but that more than half of the doctors here are working in the private sector.

"It appears that doctors, sooner or later, want to start their own private practice, which in turn makes it seem like if you don't go out and do your own business, and be a private doctor, you are stupid," Lo said.

"It is rather shocking that the largest number of people who have left are 30 to 39 years old...There is now an increasing trend where doctors turn to private practice right after they have obtained their specialist qualifications."

While the minister said a lack of workers in the public system could lead to more staff quitting their jobs, he ruled out using legislative means to retain doctors at hospitals.

The minister also conceded that the public sector cannot match the pay offered by private facilities.

Lo expressed hope authorities can partially turn this vicious cycle around by recruiting from other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia.

More than 80 applicants have undergone interviews and the first batch of non-locally trained doctors hired by the Hospital Authority will join the local workforce next month, he added.