Hong Kong Medical Chief Suspended 4 Months Over Supermarket Theft, May 27

Zhuang Huimin, a senior Hospital Authority executive, and her orthopedic surgeon husband Zhao Mingyu were suspended from medical practice for four months on May 26. The pair were convicted of stealing groceries worth HK$1,632.80 from an Aeon supermarket in April 2022. The Medical Council imposed the suspension with a two-year probation period to maintain public confidence in medical professionals.

What Happened at the Supermarket

On April 23, 2022, Zhuang and Zhao stole items including sashimi, sushi, watermelon, cantaloupe, blueberries, pudding, and chicken from an Aeon supermarket in Whampoa Garden. The total value was HK$1,632.80. Closed-circuit television showed the pair deliberately avoided scanning items at the self-checkout, acting with clear coordination. A magistrate court convicted both in April 2023 and fined each HK$5,000.

Court Rejected Their Appeal

The couple appealed their conviction in the High Court, but the court rejected both the appeal and their request to take the case to the Court of Final Appeal. Judge Yao Xun-zhi found that the pair acted with deliberate coordination and were not misled by police. The court upheld the original conviction, confirming they knowingly avoided payment.

Medical Council’s Disciplinary Decision

The Medical Council’s disciplinary panel decided to remove both doctors from the general medical register for four months, with a two-year probation period. The panel noted both showed remorse and posed low risk of reoffending. The panel weighed their prior contributions to medicine and their clean disciplinary records before imposing the suspension.

Who Is Zhuang Huimin

Zhuang was a senior general manager at the Hospital Authority handling infection control and emergency response. She represented the Hospital Authority at government press conferences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leading academics including University of Hong Kong microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung and former Hospital Authority chief executive Ko Pat-sing wrote letters supporting her character and professional achievements.

Final Thoughts

Both doctors remain banned from medical practice for four months under probation until May 2028. The case underscores how even senior health officials face disciplinary action when convicted of crimes, regardless of past service.

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