Jiangsu eye hospital probed over surgery on disabled man
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Authorities in Rugao, Nantong, Jiangsu, have opened a joint investigation after family members alleged that a 62-year-old man with a level-three intellectual disability was steered into cataract surgery by staff linked to Lair Eye Hospital in Rugao after a routine health check. The man was approached at a community health service centre on July 15, and hospital personnel later called him and arranged for him to be taken to the hospital. He underwent cataract surgery on July 17, with the cost reimbursed directly through medical insurance, while his guardian was reportedly not informed and he was only asked to provide a thumbprint during the process. Rugao's Health Commission said on August 15 that preliminary checks found the media reports were basically accurate and that possible violations were under investigation.
Key Points
- The patient, surnamed Zhang, is 62 years old and has a level-three intellectual disability, which mainland standards describe as moderate intellectual impairment
- On July 15, he attended a health check at Chengbei Street Community Health Service Centre, where a Lair Eye Hospital worker allegedly approached him and obtained his phone number.
- SingTao reported the person who made contact was not wearing hospital uniform, raising questions over how the hospital solicited patients at the screening venue
- Two days later, after his younger brother dropped him at an agreed location, hospital staff picked him up and completed cataract surgery the same day.
- Rugao's Health Commission said investigators are examining possible patient solicitation, inadequate doctor-patient communication, insufficient pre-operative assessment and weak medical safety management.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case underscores how consent, guardianship and pre-operative checks become especially sensitive when patients may lack full decision-making capacity. It also raises concern over whether medical insurance reimbursement systems can be abused if hospitals improperly recruit patients and push procedures without proper safeguards.