8 Comments

Wow.

I've been guilty of thinking that the NHS in the UK needs to improve.

And then you read something like this.

Congratulations on surviving their healthcare.

Expand full comment

You're really lucky you refused the surgery otherwise you might not be here today! I'm not completely convinced that western doctors kill more people than they save, but I'd 100% wager that about Chinese hospitals.

Expand full comment

Hard to say since we don't know what happened next ;) This was the author's last blog post. As discussed in the previous article on China's medical system, even today it remains for the most part a DIY-centric setup. If you aren't doing your own thinking, mileage will definitely vary.

Expand full comment

"Healthcare" is a horror show, perhaps this is hilarious if one truly enjoys cruel and unusual punishment.

I will say, that much has changed in China since 2007, especially smoking habits.

The family clan is what protects you from these vultures disguised as doctors in China, without that, its game over, especially if your situational awareness is severely compromised.

Expand full comment

What you say about the role of the family in China is definitely true. At a minimum they are typically expected to do both the legwork and nursing. And smoking has indeed drastically declined.

As for the hilarity question, I guess it's a question of taste. Historically speaking the attempts to overcharge customers in China, especially in the south, were often so bold-faced that it was hard to avoid laughing. When you caught them attempting to overcharge you by 10x, the response was often a sheepish smile rather than embarrassment or anger. OK, you caught me. Hahaha.

Expand full comment

Creepy. Not so much different from the West.

Would you like to explain why your employer played their game? Did he have some responsibility for you in case of death?

Expand full comment

Good question, but unless someone manages to track down the author, "orrin", who published this story back in 2008, it may forever remain a mystery!

Expand full comment

ah, ok, didn't notice.

Expand full comment