Beijing, China—A tragic case involving a Chinese anesthesiologist who administered fatal doses of anesthesia to his girlfriend has sparked outrage across the nation. The incident has raised serious ethical and legal concerns about medical negligence and accountability.
A fatal attempt to treat insomnia
The accused, identified by his surname Qu, was an anesthesiologist at a hospital in Jiajiang County, southwestern China. In March 2024, Qu administered more than 1,300 mg of propofol, a potent anesthetic, to his girlfriend, Ms. Chen, in 20 separate injections over six hours.
The injections began at 11 p.m. and continued until 5 a.m., with the doses administered through her ankle. Before leaving in the morning, Qu left an additional 100 mg of the drug for her to self-administer. When he returned, he discovered Chen had died.
A subsequent autopsy confirmed the cause of death as acute propofol intoxication.
A troubled relationship and questionable medical practices
Qu met Chen, a pharmaceutical sales representative, on an online dating platform in 2022. According to reports, Chen began relying on Qu’s medical expertise to manage her insomnia with propofol in September 2023, despite the drug being designed for surgical anesthesia and not routine use.
The frequent and unchecked administration of the drug culminated in the events of March 6, 2024, leading to the tragic outcome.
Confession and legal repercussions
Upon discovering Chen’s death, Qu immediately contacted authorities and confessed to his actions. He later compensated Chen’s family with 400,000 yuan (approximately $55,000) and sought their forgiveness.
On November 1, 2024, the People’s Court of Renshou County sentenced Qu to two and a half years in prison for negligent homicide. The court noted Qu’s self-surrender, cooperation with authorities, and financial compensation as factors contributing to the leniency of his sentence.
Public backlash and unanswered questions
The case has ignited widespread criticism online, with many questioning the adequacy of the punishment and the hospital’s oversight.
“An anesthesiologist does not know the proper dosage for anesthetic drugs? Is this negligence? Is this not murder?” wrote one user.
“More than 20 injections in six hours. How did he manage to get so much anesthetic out of the hospital? Should the hospital not also be held responsible?” another user commented.
The lenient sentence has also drawn scrutiny. “Negligent homicide plus a confession and compensation equals only 2.5 years?” remarked a third user
Broader implications for medical ethics
This incident underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations on the use of medical-grade anesthetics and oversight of medical professionals. Questions remain about how Qu accessed such large quantities of propofol without detection and whether his hospital shares some responsibility for the tragedy.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of misuse of medical expertise and raises critical ethical questions about accountability in healthcare.