Chinese authorities are launching an investigation into a shocking incident where a surgeon is seen allegedly punching a patient during an operation. The incident, captured in a video clip that went viral on Chinese social media, has sparked widespread outrage, leading to the suspension of the surgeon and the dismissal of the hospital’s CEO.
The surgeon, also serving as the hospital dean, is accused of punching an 82-year-old woman at least three times in the head while operating on her eyes at an Aier China hospital in Guigang, southwestern China. The video footage suggests that the patient, under local anesthesia, exhibited signs of intolerance by moving her head and eyeballs during the surgery.
The patient’s son revealed that, after the incident in December 2019, the hospital management issued an apology and paid 500 yuan ($70, N63,250) as compensation. The son also claimed that his mother is now blind in her left eye, although it remains unclear whether this is a direct result of the alleged assault.
Aier China, the parent group of the hospital, has taken swift action in response to the public outcry. The company announced the suspension of the surgeon and the dismissal of the hospital CEO, citing “serious violations of the group’s regulations” and unspecified other offenses. The hospital’s failure to report the incident to the headquarters was also acknowledged.
The incident came to light this week after Dr. Ai Fen, a prominent Chinese doctor involved in exposing the initial Wuhan Covid outbreak, shared CCTV footage of the surgery on her Weibo account. Dr. Ai, who has been in legal disputes with Aier China since 2021 due to her own negative experience at one of their hospitals, posted the clip, bringing attention to the alleged misconduct.
Aier China has not yet responded to requests for comment on the incident. The investigation by Chinese authorities seeks to uncover the full details of the incident and address the concerns raised by the public regarding the treatment of patients in medical facilities.
Kiki Garba
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