Shanghai: A tragic case in China’s Sichuan province has drawn widespread outrage after an anesthesiologist’s misguided attempt to treat his girlfriend’s insomnia resulted in her death.
Identified as Qu, the doctor reportedly administered repeated doses of propofol, a potent anaesthetic, to his partner, Chen, a pharmaceutical sales representative. Qu injected Chen with over 20 doses totaling 1,300 mg of propofol over six hours in a hotel room on March 6, 2024. Chen was later found dead, with the cause identified as acute propofol intoxication.
The couple, who met online in 2022, had a history of similar incidents, with Qu allegedly administering propofol to Chen on multiple occasions despite the drug being unsuitable for insomnia treatment. A representative from a propofol manufacturer emphasized that the doses used were far beyond safe limits, with typical clinical doses significantly lower and strictly regulated.
Qu surrendered to authorities immediately after the incident and provided financial compensation of 400,000 yuan (approximately USD 55,000) to Chen’s family, who later forgave him.
On November 1, the People’s Court of Renshou County sentenced Qu to two and a half years in prison for negligent homicide. The court cited mitigating factors, including Qu’s confession, voluntary surrender, and the family’s forgiveness, as reasons for the relatively lenient sentence.
This incident has sparked a heated debate online in China, with many condemning Qu’s actions as reckless despite his claim of trying to help Chen.