Chinese doctor suspended for repeatedly punching 82-year-old woman during eye surgery

The doctor punched the patient three times in the head during surgery. (Representational)

A Chinese surgeon has been suspended following the release of a video showing his alleged assault of an 82-year-old female patient during eye surgery. The incident, captured on a surveillance camera in 2019, shows the surgeon punching the patient’s head.

The surgeon is from Aier China, a prominent ophthalmology hospital in Guigang.

The video, shared on Weibo by Dr. Ai Fen, director of Wuhan Central Hospital’s emergency department and a key figure in early reports on the Wuhan Covid outbreak, depicts the surgeon delivering three forceful punches to the elderly patient's head.

The shocking footage has garnered attention not only for the apparent violence but also for the subsequent revelations surrounding the incident.

According to Aier China, the surgeon's actions were prompted by the patient's failure to follow instructions during the surgery. The hospital claimed that the patient, who spoke a local dialect, couldn't comprehend the surgeon's instructions in Mandarin.

The video, however, has ignited a public outcry, questioning the justification for such aggressive behaviour towards an elderly patient.

Local authorities have reported that the woman suffered bruises to her forehead as a result of the alleged assault. The hospital, in a statement, defended the surgeon's actions, citing concerns about the risk of infection in the sterile surgical area near the eyes.

The statement read, "During the operation, due to local anesthesia, the patient had surgical intolerance and reached up to try to touch [her] eyes. The area near the eyes is a sterile surgical area. Once touched, it may cause infection...the doctor wanted to avoid danger."

Despite the hospital's justifications, the patient's son claims to have received an apology and compensation of 500 yuan ($70) but asserts that his mother is now blind in her left eye.

The video has prompted a broader investigation into the hospital's conduct, revealing that the incident was not initially reported. Consequently, the surgeon has been suspended, and the CEO of the hospital group has been dismissed.