In a shocking incident that occurred in 2019 at a hospital in Guigang, China, an 82-year-old woman underwent eye surgery that took a distressing turn. The patient, who spoke a local dialect and was intolerant to anesthesia, couldn’t understand the doctor’s warnings during the procedure. The situation escalated when the surgeon, faced with the patient’s movement and inability to comprehend Mandarin, reportedly punched her in the head at least three times.
The entire incident was captured on surveillance cameras and recently surfaced on Chinese social media platforms, triggering widespread outrage. Dr. Ai Fen, known for raising early warnings about the Wuhan Covid outbreak, shared the video on Weibo, leading to its viral spread.
According to the hospital’s statement, the patient’s intolerance to local anesthesia caused her to move her head and eyeballs, endangering the sterile surgical area near the eyes. The doctor, fearing potential infection, allegedly treated the patient roughly in what was described as an emergency response. The patient reportedly sustained bruises on her forehead during the incident.
In response to the public outcry, Aier China, the parent group of the hospital, took swift action by suspending the surgeon involved and dismissing the hospital’s CEO. The hospital issued an apology to the elderly woman and provided compensation of 500 Yuan (approximately ₹5,800).
While the hospital explained the doctor’s actions as a precautionary measure, the woman’s son claimed that his mother is now blind in her left eye. However, as of now, there are no medical reports explicitly linking the incident to the woman’s vision impairment.
This distressing event raises questions about patient care, communication barriers, and the appropriate handling of medical emergencies. The consequences for the doctor and hospital management indicate a recognition of the severity of the incident and a commitment to addressing public concerns.
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