An already tense relationship between patients and doctors in
the southern city of Shenzhen has worsened following the deaths of
two babies.
Eight-month-old Li Xinyi, who suffered from congenital heart
disease, died last Tuesday after two hospitals refused her a bed,
saying their wards were full.
Her heart stopped beating at about 3:30 PM, more than eight
hours after her mother took her to the first hospital at about 7
AM.
Five days earlier, 21-month-old Long Zhen died from respiratory
failure caused by a serious trauma injury.
The toddler was impaled to a depth of about 30 cm on an iron
spike after falling from the balcony of his home on July 4.
An emergency department doctor at the leading Shenzhen
Children's Hospital said the boy needed to be hospitalized.
However, a doctor in the hospitalization department advised his
parents to seek treatment at another hospital because its
enteroscope for children was being repaired.
Over the next eight hours, the parents rushed from one public
hospital to another but were told no effective treatment was
available. At their fourth port of call doctors undertook some
basic checks before suggesting the parents took the boy for surgery
at the Shenzhen Children's Hospital.
The boy, who sang songs throughout his ordeal, died on the
second day after receiving emergency surgery.
After carrying out separate investigations, the city's health
authority said no one should be held directly responsible for Li's
death as it was due to the nature of her condition.
In Long's case, however, the doctor at hospitalization
department of Shenzhen Children's Hospital was found to have
violated regulations as he should have solicited the opinion of
more senior medics before rejecting the boy.
Despite apologies from the management of Shenzhen Children's
Hospital and the doctor being punished, the two incidents have
caused outrage among the city's residents.
Shen Yi, who works for a consultancy firm, told China
Daily: "Most of the doctors in these two incidents did not
violate existing principles of practice, but neither did they offer
any help or guidance to the parents who had little idea about how
to deal with their emergencies. They should take the blame for the
deaths of these two youngsters."
Others have questioned the general medical system and complained
about the shortage of medical resources for children.
However, one physician, who asked to remain anonymous, told
China Daily that the government's decreased spending on
hospitals, harsh management practices and an increased number of
medical disputes had greatly damaged doctors' passion for their
jobs.
"Normally a doctor is obliged to see at least 60 patients a day,
which allows us no more than 15 minutes with each one. If you spend
more time with someone, you might be reprimanded," he said.
"As well as the intensive workload, the misunderstanding and
distrust of patients and their family members are a great burden on
doctors.
"If we don't strictly follow the principles, we might have to
take responsibility for any medical disputes."
(China Daily July 17, 2007)