In China, an investigation has been initiated following the alarming incident where a surgeon was caught on camera punching one of his patients. While it defies logic for any medical professional to engage in such behavior, speculation suggests that the surgeon's actions may be linked to the patient's inadequate response to anesthesia.
From BBC:
It was captured in a clip that went viral on Chinese social media this week, sparking outrage online.
The hospital's parent group, Aier China, has suspended the surgeon and dismissed the CEO of the hospital where the incident took place in 2019.
The BBC has contacted Aier China for comment.
The video appears to show the surgeon punching a patient in the head at least three times while operating on their eyes.
Aier China, which operates a chain of eye hospitals, said the incident took place during an operation in its hospital in Guigang, a southwestern Chinese city.
The patient was an 82-year-old woman and "during the surgery, due to local anaesthesia, the patient had intolerance". She moved her head and eyeballs multiple times, according to their statement.
As the patient could only speak a local dialect and did not appear to respond to the doctor's warnings in Mandarin, the surgeon "treated the patient roughly in an emergency situation". Local authorities say the patient sustained bruises on her forehead.
After the surgery, the hospital's management apologised and paid 500 yuan ($70, £55) as compensation, according to the patient's son who spoke to local media outlets. He also said his mother is now blind in her left eye, though it is not clear whether it was due to the incident.
This is completely bizarre behavior and it's even more disturbing that this surgeon hit his patient so hard that she's apparently blind in one eye.
