Frustrating

A local rehabilitation hospital in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, was alleged to have abused elderly people in their care by tying them to wheelchairs. The hospital defended itself, pointing to understaffing. An unnamed doctor told reporters that most of the patients had lost the capacity to look after themselves, and some who suffered dementia would rip out IV drips and damage medical equipment if they were not restrained. He said that the hospital could not offer specialized one-to-one care without raising fees. Netizens responded with great sympathy to his words, noting the huge shortage of medical and nursing personnel in China and agreeing that their care for the elderly people was a “philanthropic act.”