(Yicai) Sept. 24 -- A man wielding a knife has attacked his doctor at the orthopedic center of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine's First Affiliated Hospital, striking him multiple times and causing severe injuries.
The assailant entered the hospital early on Sept. 22 and locked himself with Doctor Wang, who is director of the orthopedic center, in a consultation room before viciously attacking him, Modern Evening Times reported, citing sources familiar with the incident. The doctor was admitted to the intensive care unit with severe damage to several vital organs, but is out of life-threatening danger.
Wang had performed a knee surgery on the attacker several years ago, with the patient visiting him at the hospital just last week.
Yicai visited the hospital yesterday, with medical staff reporting more security following the attack and armed police being stationed at the hospital's main entrance. Security checks were also intensified at the entrance of the outpatient department from the underground garage, from where the assailant allegedly entered using a ride-hailing service.
The hospital did not respond to Yicai's inquiries about an update on Wang's condition.
Born in April 1970 in Shandong, Wang was the first postdoc in Chinese medicine orthopedics in Guangdong province. He has over 30 years of experience in foundational research and clinical applications of Chinese medicine, holds several significant academic positions, and has performed more than 2,000 joint replacement surgeries.
Following the incident, many patients and their families expressed their sorrow and described Wang as warm, approachable, and leaving a lasting impression.
China has seen 13 cases of violence against medical workers occur in multiple cities since 2020, according to incomplete statistics.
A lawyer said that laws and regulations provide comprehensive provisions for punishing violence against medical workers, but such extreme cases often stem from individual emotional outbursts. These underlying societal issues require attention from the government and all sectors of society, the person pointed out.