(Ecns.cn) – Recent disputes have given rise to a credibility crisis in China's medical system, as many patients no longer trust doctors and have even resisted suggested treatments.
In a particularly controversial case, a newborn was diagnosed with a severe disease that would supposedly require several expensive surgeries. However, that same child was later healed by another doctor with a commonly used medicine that cost only 0.8 yuan ($0.12).
After the case was reported nationwide, the public began to doubt the conscience of medical workers in China. This pervasive distrust has nearly resulted in several tragedies, and the anger towards doctors has not yet come to an end.
"Seriously ill" baby cured by cheap medicine
On the evening of August 21, 2011, just two days after he was born, a baby was sent to Shenzhen Children's Hospital because of serious swelling in his abdomen. There he was X-rayed twice and received over 100 tests, and finally diagnosed with congenital mega-colon disease, which would require a series of surgeries over the next six months, according to his doctor.
The baby's father, Chen Gang, is an experienced dentist who is familiar with general medical knowledge. According to him, if the baby received all the suggested surgeries, the total cost would mount to over 100,000 yuan ($15,460), including hospitalization fees.
As an alternative, Chen decided to transfer his child to the Guangzhou Maternal and Child Care Service Centre for a second opinion. After careful physical inspection and analysis of many tests, Li Chengchang, the baby's doctor, did not think the symptoms were serious and instead suggested a prolonged period of observation.
The doctor then prescribed a glycerin enema, a very cheap and commonly used remedy for infants. Chen said it was like "magic," and that his child recovered quickly after using the medicine only once.
The case quickly became a hot topic after it was reported by the media. Even People's Daily, China's most influential and authoritative newspaper, published a commentary titled "Why was 100,000 yuan defeated by 0.8 yuan?"
