A Chinese man named Gao narrowly escaped death after receiving acupuncture treatment from an unqualified “doctor” for a benign tumor. Gao’s wife, Zhang, had found the “doctor” through a friend who claimed that the treatment could cure Gao’s fibroma. The procedure took place at a cybercafe lounge, where Gao’s condition quickly worsened after the needles were inserted, leading to breathing difficulties and incontinence, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
Gao was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with respiratory failure and a pneumothorax, indicating punctured lungs. Despite being in critical condition, he was saved after being admitted to the ICU in time. Doctors mentioned that any delay in getting him to the ICU could have been fatal.
Initially, the unqualified “doctor” had promised to take responsibility for the incident, but later disappeared and blocked Zhang online. Seeking help, Zhang turned to Henan TV and even visited the doctor’s home.
It was discovered that the “doctor” was a self-taught individual without a medical license, commonly known as a “barefoot doctor.” His father revealed that he had learned massage and acupuncture by observing others. Despite not being registered to practice, the friend who introduced him to the couple had received treatments for issues like neck pain and had vouched for his effectiveness.
It is important to note that Chinese law mandates medical procedures to be performed by licensed doctors at registered institutions.
A local health commission official mentioned that they had forwarded official documents to the police and procuratorate to apprehend the individual. According to local lawyer Li Bo, the “doctor” could face charges for illegal medical practice. Engaging in unlicensed medical procedures that cause significant harm to a patient’s health can result in a prison sentence ranging from three to ten years.
Social media users expressed shock at the couple’s ignorance and their friend’s negligence. One user commented, “He was extremely fortunate to survive. They have only themselves to blame for trusting unlicensed practitioners.”
Another user expressed disbelief, stating, “I am appalled by their lack of knowledge and casual attitude towards receiving medical treatment at a cybercafe.”
