Zheng Yanliang, a farmer in Baoding, Hebei province, had to have his right leg amputated because of a festering wound, which ultimately turned into gangrene because he couldn't afford to pay for its treatment. The incident shows that lack of funds has rendered social medical care in many regions, especially rural areas, a non-performing public service, says an article in Beijing News. Excerpts:

Zheng's tragedy should prompt us to reflect on and reconsider our social assistance program. But Zheng is not the only one to undergo a tragic predicament because he could not afford to pay for his medical treatment. That he was forced to tend to his wounds without expert medical help reflects how poor healthcare services are for some social groups.

Zheng Yanliang demonstrates how he amputated his diseased leg himself about a year and a half ago in Baoding, Hebei province, Oct 10, 2013. [Photo/CFP]

Zheng's wounds had reached such a stage that they could not be healed, and the only option left for him was to get his leg amputated, which is a shame. Although reports said that he was covered by a rural cooperative medical care system that should have paid for his basic medical needs, the local government neither offered any help nor arranged for timely physical examination to help arrest his deteriorating condition.

Indeed, the medical insurance scheme has been extended to almost every corner of the country, but there are still many people who are not covered by it. And even many of those who are covered by the scheme are not eligible to get paid for the treatment of some rare diseases. Besides, the medical assistance mechanism in many areas lacks effective enforcement.

Though media reports say that Zheng's future life is likely to be "better", thanks to the help he has got from some quarters, many patients still cannot afford to pay for their treatment and, hence, have to suffer in silence.

It's time the authorities took serious steps to improve the basic medical insurance and assistance mechanism to ensure that the needy get proper healthcare in time.

(China Daily 10/17/2013 page9)