Top Chinese Health Officials Faced Criticism Over Alleged Negligence Following a Surgeon's Public Defence of His Romantic Relationship
The National Health Commission (NHC) announced disciplinary actions against 19 officials from five prestigious Chinese healthcare institutions on Friday, following a scandal involving a top surgeon who abandoned a patient during surgery.
The incident, which took place at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing in July 2024, gained public attention in April 2025 after Dr. Xiao Fei's wife exposed the affair in a detailed online letter. Dr. Xiao, the surgeon in question, was found to have abandoned a patient under anesthesia for 40 minutes in order to defend his mistress, a junior doctor.
The NHC's investigation revealed systemic problems within these institutions, including breaches of medical ethics and hospital management failures. The institutions named in the statement include the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), and the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), among others.
The disciplinary actions, which were praised by the Party mouthpiece People's Daily in a commentary published on Saturday, include severe warnings, disciplinary penalties, demotions, and dismissals. The NHC's handling of the matter was described as "authoritative" and "serious" in the commentary.
The statement made by the NHC stated that the disciplinary actions were taken to address governance issues within top hospitals and medical schools and to restore public trust. The investigation and disciplinary measures have helped to restore public confidence in the healthcare sector and medical practitioners.
The commentary published by the Party mouthpiece People's Daily on Saturday also praised the NHC's handling of the matter, stating that it has set a clear example for the healthcare sector to uphold professional ethics and maintain high standards of patient care.
References: [1] China Daily. (2025, August 15). Disciplinary actions taken against Chinese healthcare officials following surgery scandal. Retrieved from https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202508/15/WS5f008f6ca31067b850e6a6d3.html
- The scandal involving Dr. Xiao Fei, who abandoned a patient during surgery, has highlighted the need for China's healthcare institutions to uphold professional ethics, as showcased by the systemic issues revealed by the National Health Commission's investigation.
- Despite the technology advancements in healthcare, incidents such as the China-Japan Friendship Hospital surgery scandal demonstrate that focus should also be given to culture, particularly medical ethics, to maintain high standards of patient care.
- The NHC's disciplinary actions against healthcare officials, following the surgery scandal, serve as an example of the importance of politics in managing crises, as they have helped restore public trust and confidence in the healthcare sector.
- The handling of the surgery scandal by the NHC has not only addressed the specific governance issues within the involved hospitals and medical schools but has also emphasized the significance of health and wellness in the broader context of general news.
- The subsequent disciplinary measures taken by the NHC, in response to the surgery scandal, not only help in preventing medical-conditions related to negligence but also combat the crime-and-justice issue of unethical practices in the Chinese healthcare system.
