Hospitals should treat all patients with medical emergencies
before charging them medical fees.
China's Vice Health Minister Ma Xiaowei said at a national
conference that it violates the regulation if a hospital refuses to
give emergency treatment to patients who are unable to cover their
medical bills, but are in critical situation.
In addition, he said that even though the problem of arrears for
emergency treatment is serious, it is not an excuse for any
hospital to refuse to treat emergencies.
He suggested the government give more financial support to
hospitals by drawing up a policy to deal with public health
emergencies, which will also help hospitals solve the problem of
arrears.
Ma Xiaowei said in order to improve the medical care system,
hospitals should give priority to patients' interests. Meanwhile,
hospitals should also improve their services, as well as improve
their appraisals of medical accidents.
Dalian-based New Business reported on March 24 that a
45-year-old Shanxi migrant worker was seriously injured at
work and in critical condition.
One week later, the patient, who needed intensive care, secretly
escaped from the hospital with the help of his relatives in the
evening because he was unable to pay the 9,000 yuan for emergency
treatment.
A nurse from the hospital said even though the man owed the
hospital medical bills, his treatment wasn't affected.
In addition, nurses bought him free dinners paid out of their
own pockets.
The hospital is very worried about the situation of the man and
hoped he would come back to receive treatment. It would also
consider lowering his medical bills.
(CRI April 1, 2007)