A Chinese doctor evaluates the treatment of a young child who comes into the hospital with his parents. (Photo : Getty Images)
Dr. Wang Jun of the Shaodong County People’s Hospital in Hunan Province suffered from a fatal blow to his skull on Wednesday. The ear, nose and throat specialist is the most recent victim of “yinao,” or the medical ruckus that plagues hospitals in the country.
The New York Times reported that the family members of a patient who was waiting in line attacked Dr. Wang while the latter was busy treating other patients.
A report from Xinhua said that the family members were not pleased with the treatment received by patients. They perceived that the doctors were not "vigorous" in serving the patients.
The doctor fell to the ground after being cursed at and hit by the assailants. Unconscious for a few hours, he received immediate life-saving efforts from the hospital's medical personnel. However, he did not survive the lethal attack. Dr. Wang was in his early 40s.
Two of the suspects were immediately arrested by the police, while another suspect surrendered later that day.
The unfortunate death of Dr. Wang is only one of the many cases of Chinese doctors and nurses who experience abuse from the families who have bad perceptions of the current health care system. They are often verbally abused and humiliated, while some practitioners suffer from physical violence. The phenomenon is labeled "yinao," or medical ruckus, in the country.
A total of 4,599 security incidents which occurred in hospitals have been recorded by law enforcement officials in 2014. Many of these involved agitated families of patients. The records show that 1,425 people had been involved in such attacks to hospital professionals.
The news about Dr. Wang's death spread like wildfire within the day when the attack occurred. It drew government officials to state their promises for a more protective hospital environment.
Meanwhile, many people expressed anger against the assailants and pity for the demise of the doctor.
