Doctor gives up comfortable life to serve seniors in village
Updated: 2016-11-07 12:53
By Ma Chi(chinadaily.com.cn)
|
|||||||||
Li Qinru shows the medical kit and medical records as well as the shoes that are completely worn out. [Photo/CCTV] |
A patient named Deng Xiang told a Xinhua reporter that "whether it is chopping firewood or buying salt and meat, we ask doctor Li for help. He is better than our sons."
By the end of 2010, China had 1.2 million rural doctors like Li Qinru. On average, two doctors serve for an administrative village. Some of them work in remote and underdeveloped areas where residents find it hard to see a doctor in larger hospitals in towns. For them, rural doctors like Li Qinru are the only resort.
Since he became a doctor at 17, Li has worn out more than 200 pair of shoes and covered more than 100,000 kilometers on the trips to his patients' homes.
Walking mountainous road for years has left Li with severe rheumatic arthritis. It tortures him when it gets cold.
His wife complains about Li's job often.
"I told him to quit the job, but he never listens to me," said Peng Xiaomei, his wife. She said many fellow rural doctors have left home and made decent income in towns. Li is the only one who has stayed behind.
For each home visit, Li charges 8 yuan. Sometime, he simply provides free services when the patients cannot afford the treatment.
Li said it is not realistic for the old people to go more than 10 km to hospitals in towns. As a doctor, he cannot abandon them.
But he is worried about the future of his patients.
"My health is getting worse and worse. I have been looking for my successor for years. But I haven't found one," said Li.
To solve the problem, Ji'an city, which administers Qiqin township, has launched a program to cultivate rural doctors with preferential policies of "zero tuition plus 300 yuan in subsidy" for students. However, no one from Qiqin township applied for it.
Li Qinru is looking to other solutions.
"Zaoshi is a high-land village with rich tourism resources such as distinctive folklore culture, delicacies, rare stones and azalea blossoms," said Li. If the tourism develops well, villagers can make a better life, which may help solve the problem.
Related Stories
Money may be best medicine for rural doctor shortage 2016-04-13 08:31
Today's Top News
Latvia links with Belt and Road Initiative
High Court: Parliament must vote before Brexit
Li promotes SCO bank, free trade
Court to instruct how to trigger formal EU exit
Premier emphasizes fight against terror
Italian authorities vow to rebuild earthquake-hit areas
Li arrives in Kyrgyzstan for visit, SCO meeting
Xi affirms one-China policy
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Hollywood snaps up rock star's dog film |
Chinese people welcome dispossessed |
The can-do generation to the fore |
Riding the wave |
Leisure giants buoy cruise market |
She followed her heart |