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Case review of rural China doctor jailed for treating sex workers in 2012 sparks medical ethics debate on social media

  • Owner of massage centre asks for help with employees’ health
  • Doctor discovers it is sex racket, does not tell police, is arrested

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A review of a case involving a doctor in rural China who was jailed for “organising prostitution” because he treated sex workers has sparked an online debate about medical ethics. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Bilibili
Liya Suin Shanghai

Reports about a rural doctor who was jailed for a year and a half for providing medical services to sex workers 12 years ago, has sparked a fierce debate on mainland social media.

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Dr Feng, from Zhejiang province in eastern China, was found guilty of helping a group of female prostitutes. He was fined 5,000 yuan (US$690) and sentenced to 18 months in prison, Xiaoxiang Morning Herald reported.

Although the crime happened more than a decade ago, the case was recently reviewed by lawyer Fu Shifeng, who believed it had been misjudged.

His take on the case quickly went viral in the mainland media.

The doctor, who worked in rural eastern China was jailed and lodged a failed appeal. Photo: Getty Images
The doctor, who worked in rural eastern China was jailed and lodged a failed appeal. Photo: Getty Images

The story first emerged in 2008 when the owner of a foot massage centre, surnamed Li, contacted a man, surnamed Feng, who was operating an unlicensed clinic.

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