Death of doctor at Wuhan’s ‘whistleblower hospital’ prompts wave of anger at Chinese authorities

Hu Weifeng dies four months after he was infected with Covid-19

Hu Weifeng, a doctor at Wuhan Central Hospital, died on 2 June, 2020 (YouTube/The Paper)

The death of another doctor who worked at Wuhan’s “whistleblower hospital” has sparked anger at the Chinese authorities for not keeping medical staff safe.

Hu Weifeng, 42, a urologist at Wuhan Central Hospital, died on Tuesday after fighting Covid-19 for four-months. Chinese media says he is the sixth doctor from the hospital to die from Covid-19.

He worked in the same hospital as Li Wenliang, the ophthalmologist who tried to warn staff and friends about the virus in December. After being punished for his actions, Li’s death from the virus in February prompted national outrage.

Another whistleblower, Ai Fen, said hospital staff had been told not to wear protective equipment so as not to alarm the public.

Internet users have reacted angrily to the news of Hu’s death, with some calling for the leaders of the hospital to be punished for their negligence.

One Weibo user asked: “When will the leaders of the Wuhan Central Hospital be held accountable?”

Tens of thousands of people have used a hashtag in remembrance of the doctor, and many have done the same by posting candle emojis online.

In March, Hu and another doctor, Yi Fan, made headlines when it was reported that their skin had changed colour “due to liver dysfunction”.

Hu is thought to have suffered a brain haemorrhage in April and was in a coma prior to his death.

According to Chinese media, when he was conscious Hu told those near him: “I feel like a small boat in the middle of the ocean. At any moment I could be submerged.”

As of Wednesday, China had recorded more than 4,500 deaths from coronavirus and more than 83,000 infections.

In April, health authorities revised the Covid-19 death toll in Wuhan, raising it by 1,290 deaths to 3,869.