Tongren Hospital doctors hold banners and yell slogans on Monday, calling for people's signatures to support injured colleague, Xu Wen. Photo: Courtesy of Sina Weibo
A number of doctors at Beijing Tongren Hospital, Dongcheng district, allegedly stopped work for one hour on Monday morning to protest against violence in the workplace, following an attack on a colleagues last week.
The hospital later stated via their official website that treatment had not been suspended, but photos showing staff protesting near the hospital were later posted on Sina Weibo.
While sympathizing for the injured doctor, concerned citizens have asked whether it is ethical for doctors to impact patients as they protest.
Law professor Yang Weidong, of the Chinese Academy of Governance, said he believes "the root of this problem is distrust between doctor and patient."
Hospitals are changing to market-led operations following health reforms in China, and patients sometimes feel doctors try to persuade them to choose more expensive medications or procedures, he said.
Yang said that on Monday's protest against potential violence was "not appropriate," as doctors should not interrupt provision of medical services. It would only deepen the conflicts between doctors and patients.
Around 30 doctors stood outside hospital buildings, holding banners and yelling slogans from about 9 to 10 am, and were watched by a growing crowd of patients.
The owner of a small store near the hospital, who witnessed the protest, told the Global Times that the doctors chanted: "Pray for doctor Xu Wen, punish the attacker and protect our dignity," and also collected donations for the injured ear, nose and throat department chief physician.
The slogan was also put on the hospital's electronic screen, and the banners were seen in the building on Monday afternoon. Several hospital employees confirmed to the Global Times that there had been a protest and work stoppage at the hospital.
A former patient, Wang Baoming, 54, attacked Xu, 43, stabbing her over a dozen times on her arms and hands, leg and forehead on Thursday.
After a nine-hour operation, the hospital said Xu was out of danger and was moved into intensive care. As Xu's injuries are serious, it is unclear whether she will be able to resume her surgical duties in the future, the China Youth Daily reported on Monday.
Dongcheng district police announced that they had detained the attacker later on Thursday.
As of on Monday, Xu was still in intensive care, and the press department director, surnamed Li, told the Global Times that she will release updates about Xu's condition on the hospital's official website, where a page was set up to report on her progress.
The website also revealed that Wang attended the hospital on August 30, 2006 for throat cancer. Xu operated on him on October 19, 2006, and he was discharged on July 31, 2007.
A blogger referring to himself as "Beijing calligrapher Wang Baoming" posted eight blogs on sina.com on April 8, 2009 to express his disappointment over his treatment. He wrote that Xu failed to remove all the tumor, so his cancer spread, and also caused him to lose his voice.
"I became a dumb and disabled loser from a talkative and knowledgeable artist," he wrote, "I just wanted revenge every day," the China Youth Daily reported.
Wang sued the hospital in court for medical malpractice and stated that the hospital fabricated his medical records. Wang claimed his case was indefinitely adjourned.
The hospital introduced more security guards after the attack. The Ministry of Health condemned the violence, the newspaper said.
