The bizarre footage shows a medic punching a patient in the face during an eye surgery after he woke up on the operating table at a hospital.
Surveillance camera footage from the Ai’er Eye Hospital, located in Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei Province, shows the doctor performing an eye surgery on a patient on 12th December 2019.
But nearly a minute into the video, the ophthalmologist suddenly punched the patient, identified only as Mr Qin, in the head after he woke up while on the operating table and amidst the surgery.
The medic then continued the procedure as the patient remained stunned into immobility but quietly cried in pain.
The video caused massive outrage among the public after it recently leaked all over social media platforms.
Triggered by the online stir, hospital authorities released a statement on social media to explain the incident.
The statement said: “The patient, Mr Qin, was diagnosed with cataracts in the left eye and dislocation of the left eye lens.
“His vision before surgery was limited to light perception. The patient’s diagnosis was clear. And the planned surgery included the removal of the abnormal lens in the left eye and vitreous body cutting.
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“During the surgery, as it was conducted under local anesthesia, the patient exhibited discomfort and attempted to touch the eye area.
“The vicinity of the eye was a sterile zone, and any contact could potentially lead to infection.
“Given the ongoing surgery and the need to avoid potential risks, the doctor urgently used their hand to quickly tap and remind the patient, with no intent or action to harm the patient.”
The statement further explained that both the surgeon and the patient resolved the misunderstanding on friendly terms following the procedure.
It said: “Ai’er Eye Hospital will always prioritise its patients, consistently providing high-quality services.
“Simultaneously, the hospital welcomes criticism from all sectors of society and will continuously improve its practices.”