Memoirs of Beijing

When I think of hospitals, I envision a clean, sterile place that is airconditioned and white painted walls.  I’ve lived in China for 6 years now and my vision of a hospital changed.  I dread becoming sick as I’m not really sure if the doctors can be trusted or let alone the needles or items they will use on me are sterilize and new.

In Zhanjiang, I get to know two neurologists.  We became good friends and somehow my fears were slowly fading.  I still don’t want to have my tooth done here even in Beijing.  I guess it just my first impression left me with a bad picture.  As I was riding a taxi in the city, I can see dentists extracting tooth from the patient from their window doors.  Some of the doors are open that even pollution can enter your mouth.  That defeats the purpose of keeping the place clean.

A couple of weeks ago, my friend shared one of his horror stories with hospitals here in Beijing.  His wife was pregnant and his business was here, they decided that his wife will give birth here in China.  The pre-natal care was excellent and at par with western standards.  However, it turn for the worst during the birthing procedure.

His wife was scheduled for a caesarean section.  When the anesthesiologist was supposed to inject her, she didn’t inject her properly.  His wife advised the surgeon of the situation but the surgeon just said “That’s not possible!” and continued.  When the surgeon made the initial cut, his wife screamed and said “I can feel it”.  The surgeon adamantly said “No, it’s not possible”.  He continue cutting her and the wife was screaming.  When the surgeon noticed that she was about to pass out from the pain, he panicked and pulled the baby out in a hurry.  As he pulled the baby out, he accidentally bruised and damaged several organs.  He stitched her up and advised my friend that the procedure went well.  A few days after, his wife had internal bleeding and can’t get up because of it.  He’s scheduled to bring his wife to the US to fix the problem.

After hearing that, I’m becoming more cautious about doctors and hospitals here.  The hospital my friend went to is one of the best in the city and has a dedicated department for foreigners.  We’re having our annual executive check-up next week, hopefully I won’t be writing my own horror story here.  Wish me luck!