Chapter 511: Chapter 217: County Hospital Patient, Chronic Renal Failure (2)

He continued, "My initial suggestion remains: transfer the patient. Don’t bother with the city; go directly to the First Provincial Hospital or Second Provincial Hospital. The nephrology departments in these hospitals are among the best in the province. It’s only at these hospitals that Li Dali has a chance to survive."

Lv Xuming also knew about Li Dali’s situation, but he frowned and said, "Old Zhou, you know Li Dali’s family situation; they’re classified as impoverished. Sending him to our county hospital has already depleted their entire family’s resources. There’s simply no extra money to send him for treatment in the province. Even if mutual aid is initiated, you know that after deducting various fees, how much money really ends up in the patient’s hands?"

Upon hearing this, Old Zhou also fell silent.

After a while, Old Zhou looked up and said, "I know Li Dali’s family is in a difficult spot, but the key issue is that with our current medical skills and expertise, we can’t save him from King Yama’s grasp.

If we truly had that skill, the provincial hospitals would have recruited us long ago, and we wouldn’t still be at the county hospital."

Upon hearing this, Lv Xuming also fell into silence.

Even though Old Zhou’s words were somewhat harsh, Lv Xuming knew it was the truth.

If a highly skilled doctor emerges at the county hospital, it won’t be long before they’re recruited by the major provincial hospitals.

Provincial hospitals offer better treatment and higher status; few can resist such temptation.

Seeing Lv Xuming speechless, Old Zhou continued, "Let’s not talk about distant matters; let’s talk about you, Director Lv. Didn’t City First Hospital approach you before? If the dean hadn’t given you assurances, you probably would have accepted City First Hospital’s offer already; you wouldn’t be staying at the county hospital. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

And that’s just City First Hospital; if First Provincial Hospital or Second Provincial Hospital invited you, the dean would probably have to give up his position for you. No matter what other promises he made, you wouldn’t stay.

Although my words are somewhat harsh, isn’t it true, Director Lv? You understand these things better than me.

Those of us staying behind are mainly mediocre talents, somewhat capable but not exceptional, stuck between high and low.

We can handle minor illnesses, but bigger ones are beyond us. Moreover, major illnesses usually head to provincial hospitals, so we don’t encounter such patients often and lack practical clinical experience. Faced with them, we’re clueless, completely lost.

Instead of keeping Li Dali, possibly dying in the emergency room, it’s better for his family to clench their teeth and send him to the province, where there’s a chance of survival.

Alternatively, you could consult Dean Zhang from County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He’s an experienced Chinese medicine practitioner with some expertise in kidney diseases; he might have a solution.

I think you could invite Dean Zhang over on behalf of our department for a try. If it doesn’t work, we’ll advise Li Dali’s family. What do you think?"

"Dean Zhang?"

Lv Xuming wasn’t confident in Chinese medicine’s capabilities, but Dean Zhang was indeed a kidney disease expert. Previously, City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital invited Dean Zhang for consultation, but as the dean of County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, he naturally didn’t want to go to the City Hospital. However, Lv Xuming knew about his competence.

Thinking of this, he agreed, "Let me invite Dean Zhang over for a look then."

After speaking, Lv Xuming moved aside and dialed the number for Dean Zhang from County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Within half an hour, Dean Zhang arrived at the county hospital’s nephrology department.

Lv Xuming explained Li Dali’s situation to Dean Zhang, who took Li Dali’s pulse and examined his tongue coating, then fell into contemplation.

After a while, Lv Xuming asked, "Dean Zhang, any good methods from Chinese medicine?"

Upon hearing Lv Xuming’s inquiry, Dean Zhang, who had been frowning, finally relaxed a bit, thought for a while, and said, "Chronic renal failure can be adjusted with Chinese medicine, but Li Dali’s condition is quite severe. I rarely encounter patients like this before, so honestly, trying it myself wouldn’t be very reassuring."

"You can’t do it either?"

Lv Xuming felt disappointed. He hoped to cure Li Dali at the county hospital, but after the consultation, if neither the county hospital nor Dean Zhang have solutions, they’ll have to urge the patient’s family to check at the provincial hospital.

At least while the patient isn’t critically ill and unable to leave the bed.

"Then we can only discharge the patient." Lv Xuming sighed.

Dean Zhang, hearing this, thought for a moment and said, "I have no solutions, but I know someone who might be capable. Ten years ago, he cured a chronic renal failure patient; I witnessed it myself. If he can be invited, there might be a chance for the patient.

Moreover, Director Lv, let’s be honest; given Li Dali’s condition, even in the province, it’s best to see a Chinese medicine doctor. His body is too weak, and Western medicine might not save him; Chinese medicine is the hope."

Lv Xuming knew well that given Li Dali’s physical condition, presenting to a province hospital is still a faint hope, albeit better than staying at the county hospital.

Upon hearing Dean Zhang’s words, he didn’t argue.

It’s a matter of fact.

Though trained in Western medicine, he acknowledged that Chinese medicine indeed surpasses Western medicine in treating certain conditions.

This fact must be acknowledged, despite his reluctance.

"Who is it?"

"Is it a doctor from the city hospital or provincial hospital?"

Lv Xuming pressed further.

Dean Zhang shook his head, "Neither."

"He’s in Yong City, at United South Chinese Medicine Association. Have you heard of it?"

"United South Chinese Medicine Association?"

Lv Xuming shook his head, "Never heard of it."

Dean Zhang wasn’t surprised, as his knowledge of United South Chinese Medicine Association stemmed from an acquaintance; without which, he’d be as ignorant as Lv Xuming regarding the association.

Not only Yong City but also several city hospitals or medical associations remain unfamiliar to him.

Dean Zhang explained, "I won’t elaborate on United South Chinese Medicine Association. The person is Elder Huang Beishan; he’s retired now but was formerly a nationally recognized top Chinese medicine doctor. I believe he’s still consulting at United South Chinese Medicine Association. If you manage to invite him, there might be a solution."

"Nationally recognized top Chinese medicine doctor?"

Lv Xuming hadn’t heard of Huang Beishan, but the title of a nationally recognized top Chinese medicine doctor was impactful, leaving him both amazed and a bit distressed, "Dean Zhang, are you kidding? I don’t know Elder Huang; how could I invite him? Plus, he’s retired; even if I try, he wouldn’t come!"

After saying this, he looked expectantly at Dean Zhang, "Dean Zhang, you know him; could you help invite him? Life is at stake."

Dean Zhang was initially hesitant to call Huang Beishan but, hearing "life is at stake," he gritted his teeth and agreed, "Alright, I’ll contact Old Mr. Huang."

"To elaborate, I knew Old Mr. Huang because I count as one of his students. Every nationally recognized top Chinese medicine doctor receives invitations from the National Health Commission to give lectures to a batch of Chinese medicine practitioners. When I went deep into it previously, I was lucky to attend his lecture, leaving a deep impression."

While searching for Huang Beishan’s contact, Dean Zhang added, "At that time, I personally witnessed Old Mr. Huang curing a chronic renal failure patient with Chinese medicine."