Story By: Lee Bullen,Sub Editor: Joseph Golder,Agency: Asia Wire Report
The Chinese Communist Party has caused outrage by praising a 51-year-old Chinese doctor who worked herself to death over 18 consecutive days fighting on the coronavirus front line as a role model.
According to local media, Xu Hui, 51, was the vice-head of the Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital in the city of Nanjing in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu.
She was recently praised as a “role model for other medics” by Communist Party secretary of Jiangsu Province Lou Qinjian, was reportedly co-leading a team to treat patients infected with COVID-19 (coronavirus).
Qinjian added: “We must all learn from her, work hard together, and win in this battle against the virus.”
The claims however caused outrage on social media.
Commentator ‘Idon’tknowChina’ said: “Role model? Are you kidding me? She died for nothing! She could have been alive and save even more people.”
And ‘IttyBittyTaterTitties’ added: “Anyone worked to the bone is good to no one including themselves at some point. I admire her dedication but I wish she worked in an environment where employees are looked after too, they’d have a better chance of staying healthy to care for more people.”
While ‘DrAlbertPoon’ said: “This is little consolation for healthcare professionals worldwide. She died an avoidable death & paid the ultimate price for the deceit & incompetence of the #CCP & it’s botched handling of the #Wuhan #Coronavirus”
And ‘FreeSky75428851’ was even harder saying: “Only slaves under tyrannical regime #CCP would believe this is “role model” after long time brainwashing. In fact, this is murder! Keeping health is everyone responsibility under current #COVID19 , otherwise how you can help others!”
Local media said she died “unexpectedly” of a sudden illness after working 18 consecutive days.
In a statement following news of her death, Qinjian said: “Xu led by example and dedicated herself completely to her work.”
Meanwhile, the local authorities in the province of Hubei, where Wuhan City is located, have reported an escalation in confirmed virus cases, according to reports.
On 13th February, 14,480 new cases were reported, nearly 10 times higher than the previous day, according to local media.
The Communist Party secretary for Hubei, Jiang Chaoliang, has reportedly been replaced by Shanghai mayor Ying Yong, who is closely linked with President Xi Jinping.
His removal has prompted anger about the government’s handling of the virus outbreak, according to local media.
The ViralTab page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.
