In a 5-square-meter clinic of the Charity Hospital of
Traditional Chinese Medicine on Friday, He Xiaowei was consulting a
doctor.
He, 57, who has been suffering from polio since her childhood,
is a regular patient, and her condition has improved since she
first visited the hospital a year and a half ago.
"It is not an ordinary hospital," she said. "All medical
treatment is free of charge here."
The hospital -- in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province -- opened at the end of
2004, becoming the first of its kind in the nation that offers free
treatment.
"I did not come here until one day I was told the hospital
charges nothing for treatment," He said.
He, who depends on social security benefits for living, can't
afford the bills at regular hospitals.
According to Luo Yongwang of the Guangdong Provincial
Association of Buddhism, the hospital treats only three groups of
people: those with the lowest incomes, those who depend on social
security benefits (such as redundant workers), and the
disabled.
"Although there are other charitable hospitals that charge
relatively low fees, a great number of people who fall into these
three groups still cannot afford medical expenses there," Luo
said.
On December 24, 2004, Luo's association and the Guangzhou-based
Guangxiao Temple jointly set up the hospital, aiming to provide
easier access to medical treatment for those groups.
"However, we treat only people with common diseases," Luo
said.
Guangxiao Temple pumped 5 million yuan (US$620,000) into the
hospital, which covers 259 square meters and has no Western medical
facilities.
To date, the hospital has spent nearly 790,000 yuan (US$98,750)
of that money, of which two-thirds were used to buy medicine, Luo
said.
"We also welcome donations for the daily operation of the
hospital," he said. It received 50,000 yuan (US$6,250) from a Hong
Kong-based businessperson in April.
In addition, Guangxiao Temple recently opened a restaurant
featuring Buddhist food in a bid to raise funds for the hospital,
according to Luo.
"We don't have enough staff, but they all show much passion
working here," he said of the two nurses and four doctors.
Liang Zhonghai, 45, who has been working as a doctor in
traditional Chinese medicine for 28 years, came to the hospital a
year ago.
"I was deeply moved when I first came here," he said. "All the
patients I have seen are so in need of medical treatment.
"I told myself I will stay here for the rest of my life. It is
not only be a charity job but also a move to promote traditional
Chinese medicine."
Wen Hongmei, 47, a doctor who has been working at the hospital
since it opened, added: "There is a good relationship between
patients and doctors, and I like working here."
What's more, she said, patients have every confidence in the
treatment.
"I earn less than before, but, compared with the patients, each
of whom has a tale of suffering, I feel happy," she said.
Wen, who sees patients every Monday and Friday, earns about
2,000 yuan (US$250) a month.
"There are more than 30 patients coming to me for treatment on
the days I work," she said. "Some of the regular patients have
become my friends."
Statistics from the hospital indicate it has had more than
19,000 visits since it opened.
Since the opening, the Guangdong Provincial Association of
Buddhism also launched two other hospitals, in Shaoguan and Foshan.
The one in Shaoguan opened in April, with seed money from Nanhua
Temple and the other, funded by Renshou Temple, opened in June.
The Buddhism association is also talking to several other
temples in Guangzhou, including Lurong, Hualin and Dafo, about
opening more hospitals.
(China Daily September 22, 2006)