New | Beijing military hospital stops services after medical scandal over cancer death
New patients no longer accepted after hospital comes under fire for outsourcing medical care
A Beijing paramilitary hospital under fire for outsourcing medical care to a dubious private organisation has stopped its services for new patients.
The No 2 Hospital of the Beijing Armed Police Corps had by Wednesday suspended until further notice all services for new patients, including outpatient treatment and admissions. It will continue to serve existing patients, but those who leave or enter must have a permit from their ward.
The suspension comes after an outcry over the death last month of 21-year-old cancer patient Wei Zexi, who had sought treatment at the hospital’s Biological Treatment Centre for oncology. Wei had said online that he spent 200,000 yuan (HK$239,000) on the unsuccessful experimental treatment after it topped a Baidu search result for his cancer.
The hospital paid to get prominent listings on Baidu, and the internet watchdog is looking into the placement of sponsored health-care providers in its search results.