Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report

A Chinese doctor has been suspended for allegedly neglecting an 84-year-old female patient to pose for photos for a hospital brochure.

According to local media, elderly patient Kang Jinlian died at the Wenshui County People’s Hospital in the north-eastern Chinese province of Shanxi after being admitted at about 9pm the night before.

The OAP was reportedly suffering from nausea and following an initial assessment, she was transferred to the intensive care unit of the cardiology department.

Pictures Credit: AsiaWire

The patient’s grandson Wu told local media that the family was waiting for the doctor to check on her when all the medical staff suddenly left the ward.

They reportedly went to another area of the hospital to pose for photos for an upcoming brochure.

Wu claimed that relatives tried to get the doctor to check on Jinlian four times in a 20-minute period without any success.

However, while the doctor was away, the elderly patient’s condition worsened and she died the following morning, although reports did not elaborate on the exact cause of death.

The Shanxi health department issued a statement expressing their condolences to the family while promising to look into the allegations of negligence.

The statement confirmed that a doctor has been suspended pending an investigation, adding that they have “zero tolerance” for unethical behaviour.

The probe continues.

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