Not that, I'm sure, anyone has any plans on visiting the Great Wall. But I learned something today that was genuinely shocking. . .unbelievable.
Warning. . . not for the feint of heart.
I was at my amputee support group lunch today when one of the members brought his son along. He had been teaching in China for four years and this is what I learned.
Well, we got into a discussion about Chinese hospitals, as he actually been hospitalized for a short period, so he knows what he's talking about.
As it turns out. . . have cash or know someone of importance. Otherwise. . .no service.
In the Chinese hospitals if you are brought in for anything. . . from a broken bone to a stroke, you are first taken to a room and evaluated and then told how much it would cost. And you have to hand over cash right then. . or get this. . . die. Yes die.
Also, an interim thought. . he said it would be faster to go to the hospital in a taxi than an ambulance.
So, let's say you have a heart attack. Well, you better have someone with you who has cash . . . or they just let you die. Doctors don't care. . . nurses don't care. . . no one but family will. You will get care though without cash if you are important or know someone who is important.
He explained to me that a human life has virtually no value in this country. And that is the reason for this process. I was shocked.
Oh, also. . . there is no food service in the hospital. If you want to eat, someone better bring in your meal. Not to mention doctors, nurses, et al smoke quite a bit in the hospitals. In fact, my friend's son said a doctor came in. . gave him a cigarette and even lit it. Said this won't hurt you.
So you are all warned. Stay out of China. Stay far, far away. I know this may be difficult to comprehend. . . but it's true.
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