Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang Wednesday said in his policy address that by the end of the year, the government will invite Expressions of Interest (EOI) to develop private hospitals on four sites including Wong Chuk Hang, Tseung Kwan O, Tai Po and Lantau.

Based on the EOIs received, the government will make appropriate land disposal arrangements which can encourage innovation, enhance the quality of services, increase the transparency of fees and charges, and ensure the provision of quality private medical services to the public. Those hospitals may also provide traditional Chinese hospitals, Tsang said.

To facilitate the development of Chinese medicine, the government will expedite the setting of standards for Chinese herbal medicines commonly used in Hong Kong and aim to extend coverage from the current 60 herbal medicines to about 200 by year 2012, the chief executive said, adding that the government will assist and promote the establishment of testing laboratories in the local market to enhance the city's capability to test Chinese medicines.

"We will further consider allowing more renowned Chinese medicine practitioners from the mainland to join clinical teaching and research programs in Hong Kong so as to make Hong Kong a stage for promoting Chinese medicine to the world," he said.

To step up the training of medical personnel, Tsang said, the government will provide 60 additional senior year places for degree programs on nursing in the 2010/2011 academic year.