A serious medical violation recently occurred in Binjiang District, Hangzhou, China. During a free clinic event at a residential community, a clinic was found to be using the same needle to draw blood from 15 residents, sparking collective panic. Residents feared the risk of disease transmission and have urgently undergone medical checks and received AIDS-blocking medication and hepatitis B vaccines.
The clinic’s responsible person responded that the involved employee “operated incorrectly,” and has already been dismissed, but did not explain why a non-professional was assigned to draw blood. The Binjiang District Health Commission has intervened to investigate, and the 15 affected people will receive regular monitoring.
According to Jimu News, on April 14, a clinic used the same needle to draw blood for multiple people during a community free clinic in Hangzhou. In videos posted online, residents are seen asking whether the needles were changed between blood draws. Although staff verbally insisted that they “had been changed,” residents searched the trash bags on site and could not find any discarded needles. They then confronted the staff, saying: “Where are the used needles? With so many people getting blood drawn, only one needle was used? Reusing needles spreads disease—this is a serious violation.” The staff were left speechless on the spot.
On April 16, the clinic’s responsible person responded that about 15 residents had their blood drawn: “They were somewhat anxious; we have already helped them get medical checkups, and given them AIDS-blocking medication and hepatitis B vaccines.” He stated that this was supposed to be a public welfare free clinic activity, originally intended for the health of residents and without any fee, but did not anticipate such an incident.
The responsible person explained that the blood-drawing employee “did not understand and operated incorrectly,” and has now been fired. As for why a non-professional was allowed to draw blood, the responsible person only said “it was busy and we were negligent at the time.”
He also stated that they are now cooperating with local authorities in follow-up actions and will not evade responsibility, but will not agree to residents’ demands for high psychological compensation.
Currently, the Binjiang District Health Commission has launched an investigation. According to the Commission, all involved have been arranged for medical tests, and ongoing regular monitoring will take place.