When the postgraduate training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology was first started in Hong Kong, it was modelled after the British system. There was no local professional body to award postgraduate professional degrees. The trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology had to undergo the training as stipulated by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), pass the Membership Examination organised by the RCOG to become Members of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (MRCOG). To help the RCOG in monitoring the training in Hong Kong, a representative committee was established in Hong Kong consisting of members elected among the local members of the RCOG.

The First HKCOG AGM
From left to right: (backrow) Dr. Joseph Woo, Dr. L.C. Ho, Prof. Allan Chang, Dr. Nancy Fok, Dr. L.C. Wong, Dr. Pamela Leung, Dr. Felix Wong, Dr. Francis Batson. (Front row) Dr. Robert Law, Dr. K.K. Chow, Dr. Enid Chan, Prof. H.K. Ma, Dr. P.C. Ho, Dr. Vivian Wong.

In November, 1985, the Hong Kong Representative Committee of RCOG felt that in view of the Sino-British Agreement, it was time to consider the possibility of establishing a local body for the recognition and supervision of postgraduate training in obstetrics and gynaecology in Hong Kong. A Working Party on Future Postgraduate Training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Hong Kong was established by the Representative Committee for this purpose. Professor Ho-Kei Ma was elected as the chairman of the Working Party.

Members casting their votes at the first AGM

After consulting the local members of RCOG by conducting a survey, it was decided to form a local College. The Working Party went on to draft the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the By-laws of the proposed College. After 13 meetings, these were finalised. The Hong Kong College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (HKCOG) was incorporated on 14th May, 1988. The first Council consisted of members of the Hong Kong Representative Committee of RCOG and six other co-opted members. Professor Ho-Kei Ma was elected as the first President of HKCOG. The first general meeting was held on 4th July, 1988. At the time of incorporation, there were 41 Fellows and 124 Members.

In December, 1988, soon after the formation of HKCOG, the Government Working Party on Postgraduate Medical Education and Training published its report recommending the establishment of The Hong Kong Academy of Medicine which would consist of Colleges of the various specialties. The HKCOG took an active part in the establishment of the Academy. When the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine was incorporated on 1 August 1992, the HKCOG was one of the founding Colleges. The inauguration ceremony of the Academy was held on 9th December, 1993. Two hundred and twenty members of the HKCOG were admitted as Foundation Fellows of the Academy.

Professor Ma was succeeded by Professor Allan Chang (1991-1993), Dr. Pamela Leung (1994-1997) and Professor P.C. Ho (1998-2000). During these years, the membership and the activities of the College have progressively increased. It is now the official body responsible for organization, assessment and accreditation of specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Hong Kong. It also plays an active role in quality assurance, continuing medical education and promotion of research in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

In 1993 the College hosted the Second International Scientific Meeting of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in Hong Kong which was very well attended by both local and overseas delegates.