AFTER subsequent examinations at two public hospitals, a Pingshan woman who last month spent 14,677 yuan (US$2,360) for three surgical procedures is charging that a medical clinic did not actually perform the procedures, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported yesterday.

    On March 19, the woman, identified by the alias “Lan Yan,” consulted with Dr. He Dongmei, underwent examinations and was diagnosed with vaginitis at Yimei Clinic, according to the newspaper report. At He’s recommendation Lan immediately underwent a procedure to remove leucorrhoea, which cost her 4,660 yuan. About 20 minutes into the procedure, He informed Lan that she discovered a cervical polyp in her womb and that it should be immediately excised. The second procedure was 3,503 yuan and follow-up injections cost an additional 1,461 yuan.

    Lan visited the clinic for a follow-up examination March 25. During that exam He informed her that she had a serious buildup of pelvic fluid and that it must be extracted. Again, at He’s recommendation, Lan underwent a third procedure that cost her 4,187 yuan.

    However, a later examination at Shenzhen Maternal and Children’s Health-Care Hospital on March 30 found no abnormalities and no signs of recent procedures.

    Lan contacted Southern Metropolis Daily and the paper’s staff recommended a second examination at Pingshan People’s Hospital. Accompanied by a reporter from the newspaper, Lan visited that hospital April 1. Again, doctors stated that they found no indication of a recent procedure and that the photos in the examination report issued by the clinic did not indicate she had vaginitis or a cervical polyp. Pingshan People’s Hospital doctors also told Lan that a procedure to remove a cervical polyp typically costs less than 100 yuan and a pathological analysis is usually needed after removal.

    As part of its own investigation, a female reporter with the paper underwent gynecological examinations at the Pingshan hospital April 10. No abnormalities were discovered. Later that same day, after examinations at Yimei Clinic, Dr. He informed the reporter that she had vaginitis and pelvic fluid buildup and that the remedy would require three days of injections and various medications.

    The newspaper reports that the clinic has been subject to a large number of complaints in recent years, mostly from patients paying excessive fees for supposed illnesses later found to be nonexistent.

    Pingshan’s health authority informed the paper that the clinic holds the required licenses and suggested that Lan report the case to police.

    (Lin Min)