Baby dies after video-gaming doctor ignores mother

Published on Friday 13 November 2009 21:23

A FIVE-MONTH-OLD baby died in a hospital amid pleas for help from his parents while his doctor played video games online in eastern China.

An investigation by health authorities in Jiangsu province showed Dr Mao Xiaojun was playing a game on the night shift and did not take the parents' pleas for help seriously.

"When efforts were being made to save the baby, the mother got on her knees in the doorway of the ear, nose and throat department and pleaded for help," the statement said. The baby died next morning, 4 November, from complications caused by an eye infection.

The department's statement said Mao "covered up the truth" in an initial investigation. But further investigations found she had been playing "Go" on an instant messaging system.

Mao was stripped of her medical licence and fired, and the hospital head and several staffers were disciplined. The health department looked into the baby's death after complaints.