Exposing the Dark Side of Healthcare: Hospital's 90% Surgical Rate Sparks Outrage
A shocking case of over-medicalization has been exposed in a hospital in Hubei Province, where the surgical rate exceeded 90%, far surpassing the local average. This alarming incident has sparked widespread concern and discussion in society. An investigation by the health department found that out of 125 randomly selected patient cases, 113 exhibited over-medicalization behaviors, including performing surgeries on patients who did not meet the surgical indications and those with contraindications. The hospital's overall surgical rate was over 90%, significantly higher than the local average of 40%. This egregious case of over-medicalization has raised questions about the motivations behind such practices and the measures that can be taken to prevent them.
19 June 2025
The investigation, conducted by the Huangshi City Health and Health Committee in Hubei, China, reviewed 125 patient cases at the Huangshi Boshi Anorectal Hospital in 2022 and found that 113 of them showed evidence of overtreatment. The hospital's blatant disregard for responsible medical practices has led to severe consequences, including a court-ordered payment of over 530,000 yuan in punitive damages to a local public welfare compensation account. The payment was made in full as of May this year. The phenomenon of over-medicalization is not uncommon in the healthcare industry, where numerous hospitals and medical professionals prioritize financial gains over patient welfare, leading to a disturbing trend where unnecessary surgeries or examinations are performed, resulting in undue financial burdens and emotional distress for patients.
The pursuit of economic profit often overshadows the ethical obligation to provide necessary and appropriate care, highlighting a critical need for reform and stricter regulation within the healthcare sector. By scrutinizing the motivations behind such high surgery rates, it is possible to uncover the complex interplay of factors, including financial incentives, lack of transparency, and inadequate patient education, which collectively contribute to the pervasive problem of over-medicalization. To combat excessive medical treatment, it is essential to strengthen supervision, perfect the medical evaluation system, and establish a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment protocol. Hospitals should be evaluated based on core indicators such as medical quality and patient satisfaction, rather than solely on economic performance.
The medical industry is a noble profession that should prioritize the well-being and safety of patients. The phenomenon of excessive medical treatment not only harms patients but also undermines the integrity of the medical profession and societal trust. It is crucial that we work together to prevent excessive medical treatment from becoming a "business model" and instead, focus on providing patient-centered care that prioritizes their needs and well-being. The resolution of the issue of excessive medical treatment requires a collaborative effort from the medical industry and the government, with strict regulation of medical practices, standardization of medical protocols, and ensuring that patients receive safe, reasonable, and effective medical services. By doing so, we can restore the medical industry to its original purpose of "healing and saving lives."
