Hu Wanlin

Case identification

Hu Wanlin (胡万林), born 1949, was from Mianyang, Sichuan Province.

Timeline

• 1993 — While in prison for intentional homicide, swindling, and abducting and trafficking in women, Hu opened a medical practice.
• 1997 — Hu was released from prison and continued practicing medicine illegally in the northern Shanxi Province and northwestern Shaanxi Province; he set up the Hu Wanling Hospital in Taiyuan, Shaanxi province.
• 7 — Hu practiced medicine illegally in the northern Shanxi Province and northwestern Shaanxi Province from July 1997 to February 1998.
• 16 December 1997 — Wang Baoran, a Henan engineer with a kidney dysfunction, died as a result of Hu’s traditional Chinese medicine.
• November 1997 — Hu established the Zhongnanshan Hospital in Shaanxi; authorities alleged 146 people died under his treatment.
• 1 February 1998 — Hu’s illegal practice in Shaanxi was banned by local authorities.
• June 1998 — Hu went to Henan to continue practicing medicine after the ban on his practice in Shaanxi; he had been practicing qigong in the Shangqiu area since June 1998.
• 18 January 1999 — Hu was arrested in Shangqiu.
• 1 October 2000 — Hu was convicted and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for practicing medicine without a license.
• 5 years — Voting rights were suspended for five years as part of the sentence.
• 150,000 yuan — A fine of 150,000 yuan was imposed.

Background

Hu Wanlin was described as a self-styled “doctor” who practiced the traditional medical art of qigong.

He had completed primary education.

Hu led a troubled life.

While serving a sentence in jail for intentional homicide, swindling, and abducting and trafficking in women, Hu opened a medical practice in 1993.

Hu called himself a miracle-worker who could diagnose patients with only a cursory examination that might last only five seconds.

Hu became a public figure, having his medical practice and “medical miracles” described by a well-known Chinese novelist, Ke Yunlu.

Qigong masters were described as having the ability to concentrate “qi” or energy in certain parts of their bodies and to use it to help diagnose and cure a wide range of ailments.

The qi was described as having curative powers without physical contact being necessary.

Hu became well-known having his medical practice and “medical miracles” described by Ke Yunlu.

The offence

Hu was arrested and tried for practicing medicine without a license.

Authorities alleged Hu’s “treatments” involved herbal preparations that were proved to contain high amounts of sodium sulphate, which was poisonous in large doses.

Hu sold home-made herbal medicines that were mixed with the mineral salt mirabilite.

Three deaths were clearly attributed to his illegal and unsafe practices.

Authorities alleged his treatments resulted in the death of at least 146 people.

It was also alleged that he was responsible for killing between 100 to 190 patients.

Hu was described as having previously served two prison terms for operating illegal medical clinics in various parts of China.

Investigation and arrest

Hu was arrested in January 1999 in Shangqiu.

He was suspected of causing the deaths of nearly 150 patients.

The reporting stated that, since June 1998, Hu had been practicing qigong in the Shangqiu area.

Trial

Hu was tried for practicing medicine without a license.

Hu was convicted on 1 October 2000.

Sentencing

Hu received 15 years imprisonment.

Voting rights were suspended for five years.

A fine of 150,000 yuan was imposed.

The court decided on a stern punishment because of the serious consequences and great impact on society.

Outcome

As a direct result of the trial, an official system of medical licensing was set up in China.

An additional account described that China set up a medical licensing system under which only licensed doctors were allowed to treat patients.

Other details

Hospitals and alleged deaths

After his release in 1997, Hu continued practicing medicine illegally in the northern Shanxi Province and northwestern Shaanxi Province.

He set up the Hu Wanling Hospital in Taiyuan, Shaanxi province.

Authorities alleged his treatment in Taiyuan caused the death of 20 patients.

Authorities alleged that, in November 1997, Hu established the Zhongnanshan Hospital in Shaanxi and 146 people died under his treatment.

After police closed the hospital, Hu fled to Shangqiu.

A local health bureau formally invited him to set up the Weida Hospital.

Authorities alleged that 30 patients died there under his care.

Specific deaths attributed to Hu’s prescriptions

Wang Baoran, a Henan engineer with a kidney dysfunction, died as a result of Hu’s traditional Chinese medicine on 16 December 1997.

Liu Famin, mayor of Luohe city in Henan, who had liver cancer, died from using Hu’s prescription medicine after taking it for four days.

He Suyun, a retired teacher in Shangqiu, also died for the same reason on 1 October (year not specified in the record excerpt).

Claims and public profile

Hu came to prominence in 1997 with claims of a 90 percent cure rate in treatment of cancer, hepatitis and high blood pressure.

He was described as the subject of a book, “Qigong Master,” which supported his claim to possess mystical healing powers.

He was described as an “Omnipotent Doctor.”

International and domestic effects mentioned

The case was described as bringing attention to problems China had with unauthorized medical practice.

It was stated that, in 1999, 300,000 Chinese passed a national medical examination and became China’s first group of licensed doctors.