Hong Kong Information Sheet Compiled on behalf of the American Overseas Dietetic Association http://eatrightoverseas.org/ by Charmain Tan, RD, AD National dietetic association / credentialing verification: Prior to the incorporation of the Hong Kong Dietitians Association Limited on 18 May 2001, the major representation of the dietetic profession in Hong Kong was the trade union formerly known as "Hong Kong Dietitians Association", now "Hong Kong Practising Dietitians Union". The new professional group named "Hong Kong Dietitians Association Limited" was incorporated on 18 May 2001. Dietetic related associations in Hong Kong: Hong Kong Dietitians Association Ltd www.hkda.com.hk Hong Kong Nutrition Association http://www.hkna.org.hk HKSAR Government, Health and Medical Services http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/health/index.htm HKSAR Government, Food Safety & Nutrition http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/health/foodsafe/ HK East Cluster Nutrition Information Web http://www3.ha.org.hk/dic/home.html Food and Environmental Hygiene Department,HKSAR Government http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/index.html Diabetes Hong Kong http://www.diabetes-hk.org/ Health InfoWorld http://www21.ha.org.hk/smartpatient/welcome/ There is no statutory registration or licensing board for dietitians and nutritionists in Hong Kong. Since the titles of dietitian and nutritionist are not protected in Hong Kong, it is not against the law that someone, without relevant academic background, to call himself or herself to practice as a dietitian or a nutritionist in the community. Country Information Sheet - Hong Kong Updated by Charmain Tan, June 2012 Page 1 of 4 Training of national dietitians, professional role and regard: To become a Registered Dietitian, you must obtain the Postgraduate Diploma (or MSc) in Human Nutrition and Dietetics at Hong Kong University SPACE Institute (co-organized with the University of Ulster, UK), or its equivalent qualifications, namely, Registered Dietitian of Commission of Dietetic Registration, American Dietetic Association; or State Registered Dietitian of Health Professions Council (UK); or Registered Dietitian of Provincial Registration, Dietitians of Canada; or Accredited Practising Dietitians of Dietitians Association of Australia. Dietitians working in clinical settings provide medical nutrition services, i.e. the care and intervention to promote the nutritional well being of the patients taking into account their medical conditions and health needs. Dietitians working in community settings advise people on optimal nutrition for disease prevention and health promotion. Dietitians working in food services organize, plan and manage food services operations. There are also dietitians working in other areas of dietetics, including sports nutrition for athletes, health screening, dietetic research, student training at universities, commercial food companies etc. Accredited Dietitians Accredited Dietitians (HKDA) are persons who possess valid professional qualification and have fulfilled the requirements for Continuing Dietetic Education of the Association. Accredited Dietitians (HKDA) are recognized by the Association as competent person to practice dietetics in Hong Kong. Accredited Dietitians (HKDA) will use the nominal AD(HKDA). Find a Dietitian http://www.hkda.com.hk/find_dietitian.html Healthcare system: Health care in Hong Kong is provided in large scale by public hospitals. The Hospital Authority is a statutory body established on 1 December 1990 to manage all public hospitals in Hong Kong. The Hospital Authority manages 41 public hospitals / institutions, 49 specialist outpatient clinics and 74 general outpatient clinics. As at 31 March 2006, the Authority managed a total of 27,742 hospital beds which represented around 3.8 public hospital beds per 1,000 population. It employs about 52,600 staff (full time equivalents as at 31 March 2006). The Authority is mainly responsible for delivering a comprehensive range of secondary and tertiary specialist care and medical rehabilitation through its network of health care facilities. Clusters, Hospitals & Institutions: http://www.ha.org.hk/visitor/ha_visitor_index.asp? Content_ID=10084&Lang=ENG&Dimension=100&Parent_ID=10042 There are 13 private hospitals in Hong Kong, providing both in and out patient services with specialist care. http://www.dh.gov.hk/english/main/main_orhi/list_ph.html Employment opportunities: The Hospital Authority is the major employer. There are about 85 dietitians working for Hospital Authority. The second largest employer is Department of Health of HKSAR Government who employs around 18 dietitians at present. There are also dietitians working with university health promotion centers, non-government healthcare organizations, sports institute, fast food chain, air catering, food and nutrition companies Country Information Sheet - Hong Kong Updated by Charmain Tan, June 2012 Page 2 of 4 or as private practitioner. As people in Hong Kong is becoming more health conscious, there is a growing demand for dietitians in Hong Kong. Local Food Customs and Culture: Traditionally speaking, Chinese restaurants tend to be noisy and crowded affairs. They are places for social gatherings; since Hong Kong apartments are usually too small to entertain friends and family. The Chinese usually dine in large groups; the more, the merrier. The basic rule is to order one dish per person, plus one extra dish or a soup, with all dishes placed in the center of the table and shared by everyone. Yum Cha (tea drinking) is a very important part of Chinese life and Dim Sum, is the highlight of Yum Cha. Dim Sum ranges from shiu mai (steamed minced pork and shrimp dumplings), har gau (steamed shrimp dumplings), cha siu bau (barbecued pork buns), au yuk (steamed minced beef balls), fun gwor (steamed rice-flour dumplings filled with pork, shrimp, and bamboo shoots), and tsuen guen (deep-fried spring rolls filled with shredded pork, chicken, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and bean sprouts) to spareribs. Congee (thick rice porridge), for which traditional Hong Kong cuisine is famous for, served with meat and preserved eggs, chicken, fish slice, seafood, gingko or vegetable. As the name Yum Cha implies, tea is also offered. Usually it will be oolong, pu'er or scented tea like jasmine. Luxury restaurants specializing in Beijingese, Shanghainese, Sichuan or Indian, Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, Japanese, or Italian food, friendly teahouses, lively dai pai dong (street-side stands), and dessert houses are also abundant in Hong Kong. Food in restaurant houses are economical and various in both Chinese and western styles. An alternative is to dine at hotel buffets that offer Chinese and international dishes. Soup is an important course in Hong Kong cuisine as well as a cultural symbol. Soups are believed to be good for both health and beauty. With specific Chinese herbal medicines like ginger, soups can treat certain illnesses. Hong Kong people usually cook soup by themselves at home. Educational opportunities: Hong Kong Dietitians Association Ltd and Hong Kong Nutrition Association provides continuing dietetic education programs. To maintain the Accredited Dietitian title or Full Membership status, a HKDA full member has to fulfill the requirements for continuing dietetic education program. AODA volunteer opportunities: Opportunities to assist AODA with your time are probably endless. Learn as much as you can about the AODA and where your skills and interest would be of most benefit both to you and to the AODA. You could: Assist the AODA fund-raising team by scouting out items in your country related to food, and organizing the purchase and shipping. These items are a big hit at ADA annual meetings and even in other countries in expatriate circles. Become a Country Representative for a country that you know a lot about and that is not represented in order to help to educate others about what your country is really like related to nutrition and health. Become a Chapter Team Leader or Reviewer for AODA’s Guide to International Food Practices, Customs and Cultures (contact me or the Country Representative Chair for information) Be a member on the AODA board; Assist in organizing conferences; Submit articles to the Country Information Sheet - Hong Kong Updated by Charmain Tan, June 2012 Page 3 of 4 AODA newsletter; and I’m sure that there are more opportunities! Contact Information of AODA Country Representatives for Hong Kong: Charmain Tan, RD, AD Registered Dietitian (US), Accredited Dietitian (HKDA) Seventeen Nutrition Consultants Telephone: (+852) 2345 8807 Fax: (+852) 3005 7837 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.my17.com Country Information Sheet - Hong Kong Updated by Charmain Tan, June 2012 Page 4 of 4.