Health officials in China have shut down a dialysis cooperative clinic established and funded privately by ten patients who could not afford treatment in Chinese hospitals. At its peak, the clinic had 17 patient-members, each of whom learned to perform dialysis. The patient-members also signed liability waivers releasing their fellow patients from liability for any complications, including death.
Officials say the ten patients whose machines were seized will receive free treatment until they can be returned to their hometowns. One of the patients, Chen Bingzhi, reports he's been offered a 90% health care subsidy for treatment in his village. However, the cooperative clinic had provided dialysis treatments for as little as 1% of the cost of receiving a course of dialysis in a hospital. The $1,500.00 average cost for a round of dialysis in a hospital is nearly three times the average yearly income of a Chinese farmer ($450.00-$600.00). A 90% subsidy would leave Chen paying $150.00 for each of his treatments-- that's as much as a third of his yearly income!
According to the South China Morning Post (subscription required to read full article), the displaced patients have refused to leave Beijing until they receive a more satisfactory settlement compensating them for the loss of the expensive machines and the future costs of their dialysis.
"We didn't do this to seek publicity," said Mr. Chen, "we did it because
we needed to survive and this was the most affordable way. We never
wanted to cause anyone any trouble, we just wanted to help each other."
What do you think? Should health officials have allowed the illegal clinic to continue to operate in recognition of the financial situation of its patient-members? What should China do for the patients who are no longer able to afford treatment? Leave your opinion in a comment!
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