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22 / Periscope

leaving Hong Kong to continue his
studies overseas and for better men-
tal health.
A doctor who works in a public
hospital and addresses himself as Dr
K, says he encounters many patients
with head injuries, which often lead
to open wounds like scalp lacera-
tions (head wounds).
Dr. K is also a volunteer first aider
in protests related to the movement.
He says that many injured protesters
are reluctant to seek medical treat-
ment: “They worry that they might
be located by police officers in emer-
gency rooms at public hospitals,” the
doctor who also coordinates first aid
teams on the frontline says.
An injured protester receiving treatment after clashing with the police on July 1, Dr. K had to deal with many pa-
2019 (Photo courtesy of K. Y. Cheng SCMP) tients with serious injuries while
serving on the frontline. “A person
was shot by bean bag rounds in the
Chu had two stitches on his scalp, “In Hong Kong, no one is hold- head, causing deep laceration and
and his doctor told him he was for- ing the police to account. You can’t fragment of foreign body embedded
tunate that he got no other serious charge them as they wear masks in wound, with subsequent infec-
problem. He was hospitalised for and do not show their work identity tion,” says Dr. K. He says wounds
two weeks and underwent physi- cards when they are on duty. IPCC from rubber bullets and bean bag
otherapy and had to attend psychi- (Independent Police Complaints rounds are quite frequent in protest
atric consultation for three months. Council) is useless. I feel hopeless sites. “They very often cause open
Chu says he still feels trauma- and frustrated,” says Chu. wounds like scalp lacerations,” he
tised: “This kind of feeling comes all The injuries make it difficult for says.
of a sudden. It is painful every time him to write and affect his prepara- Tear gas and pepper spray were
I walk past Tai Po Market MTR sta- tion for the Hong Kong Diploma of frequently used in protests sites too.
tion. I feel dizzy and I want to vomit. Secondary Education Examination “It is very likely to cause eye and
Though I guess it’s much better now, this year. He now decides not to sit skin irritation,” says Dr. K. “Shot
I still have nightmares.” for the examination and considers wounds by rubber bullets and bean

“

This kind of feeling comes all of a sudden.
It is painful every time I walk past Tai Po

Market MTR station. I feel dizzy and I want
to vomit. Though I guess it’s much better

now, I still have nightmares.

”