The association's designated negotiator in rental negotiations, Gabriel Choi Kin, went a step further, saying estate doctors should not take part in a strike that he called a "sham."

He also held out the possibility last night that the doctors may get a reprieve from the rising rents under agreements negotiated with The Link over the past month.

Its call came after the Hong Kong Doctors' Union announced on Friday it is joining the Public Housing Estate Shop Operators Union in a call for members to shut their doors from noon to 3pm next Thursday.

The Doctors' Union has said The Link has raised clinic rents by 100 percent or more.

Over the weekend, the association has been e-mailing 400 estate doctors to try to persuade them not to join the strike because it will be "unethical" and they could face complaints of misconduct from patients should they come to harm when their doctors are away.

In a statement, it said: "It is wrong to use strikes as a political means and jeopardize the health of our patients for our own benefit."

Choi, who is negotiating together with the Practicing Estate Doctors Association and the Estate Dental Group of the Hong Kong Dental Association, did not mince words about the strike.

"Usually from 12 to 3pm estate clinic doctors are not working. They are not open during this time, so this is a sham strike."

Choi also said a strike for financial reasons, such as rent increases, is not the way to go.

"You do not go on strike for your own personal gain. This is for your own personal gain. You do not use patients as one of your bargaining chips," he said, adding that agreements struck with Link executives will be announced this week.

"We have come to certain agreements about estate clinic doctors and renewal of contracts for estate clinics, as well as operating hours and so on," he said.

"I think we have made a deal which I think is fair to the doctors and fair to the citizens."

The agreement will bar The Link from evicting doctors and dentists for no reason or through huge increases.