Recently, Mr. Zhang, who works in Shanghai, claimed that he was diagnosed with human papillomavirus (HPV) at Shanghai Guangze Hospital. He spent 27,000 yuan on treatment in 10 days, depleting all his hard-earned savings without getting better. As a result, he went to another hospital for a check-up and the result showed no illness, no need for treatment. This prompted him to seek justice at Shanghai Guangze Hospital.
In September this year, due to itching and extreme discomfort, Zhang searched online for “treatment options” and inadvertently clicked on a link that offered consulting services. Under the strong recommendation of the customer service, Zhang visited Shanghai Guangze Hospital on September 17.
According to Zhang, the doctor requested a series of tests, then informed him that he had “four positive indicators for HPV, two high-risk and two low-risk, as well as inflammation.” The attending physician repeatedly emphasized the need for immediate medication, warning of the possibility of worsening and even cancerous transformation.
Frightened, Zhang immediately accepted the treatment plan provided by the doctor. On the first visit, he spent a total of 855.4 yuan and then underwent continuous treatment at the hospital for more than 10 days, totaling over 27,000 yuan. After the treatment, the doctor prescribed hundreds of yuan worth of medication for him to continue at home.
Zhang, a migrant worker, mentioned that he had exhausted all his savings for the treatment. However, after some time, instead of improving, his condition worsened with increased itching, red rashes, and peeling on his head. To investigate the cause, he went to another hospital in Shanghai on September 26, which confirmed that he was not ill and did not need treatment.
Outraged, Zhang expressed that the stress of seeking treatment had taken a toll on him, even leading him to resign from his job, leaving him feeling “completely worn out” these days.
On September 28, he visited Shanghai Guangze Hospital to demand an explanation but did not receive a satisfactory response. Subsequently, he lodged a complaint with the relevant authorities and exposed the incident to the media.
On November 11, Shanghai Guangze Hospital responded to inquiries from Xinmin Evening News, expressing their willingness to refund all medical expenses and compensate Zhang for two months of lost wages.
However, Zhang believed that the hospital’s handling of the issue was too casual. He hoped the hospital would thoroughly investigate the matter and provide a clear explanation and resolution, not only for his own sake but also for other patients seeking treatment.
Shanghai Guangze Hospital is a comprehensive private hospital approved by the Shanghai Health Commission, providing medical, preventive, healthcare, and rehabilitation services. In the past three months, several netizens have raised concerns online about the hospital’s alleged practice of inducing overtreatment among patients.
The incident has sparked discussions on social media. Many netizens shared their own experiences, with some calling for legal consequences and accountability for hospitals that intentionally misdiagnose and charge exorbitant fees to meet business goals. Some questioned the oversight of such hospitals, expressing astonishment at how they continue to operate unchecked.