On the New Year's Eve, a family should get together to have dinner and watch the Spring Festival Gala. However, Lu Hai, director of Ocular Trauma Department at Tongren Hospital in Beijing, has given up the chance to reunite with his family for seven consecutive years on such nights and silently remained at his post. On such nights, accompanied by the continuous firecracker sounds outside the window, what Lu Hai had to face was batches of patients injured by explosions. "Many people think that the sound of fireworks is festive and full of New Year flavor, but doctors in ocular trauma department feel completely different, because behind the crackling sound, someone may be bloodied, which makes us very upset," said Lu Hai.
Unexpectedly persisted for seven years
On New Year's Eve, 5:30 pm, this time should be for family reunion and preparation for the New Year dinner. But at this time, Lu Hai had already hurriedly finished his New Year dinner and rushed to the hospital. After changing into white coat, he was already "on duty" before 6 o'clock. Since he became the director of Ocular Trauma Department in 2006, he has spent the New Year's Eve in the hospital for seven consecutive years.
In 2006, after the ban on fireworks was lifted for the 13th Spring Festival, fireworks were allowed again in Beijing urban area. That year, Lu Hai first stayed on duty in the ophthalmology emergency room on New Year's Eve, and unexpectedly, this persistence lasted for seven years. During these seven years, he also joked with colleagues saying "I will not be on duty next year", but on New Year's Eve, without anyone reminding him, he would definitely appear in the ophthalmology emergency room wearing his white coat at 6 pm.
Hundreds of shocking photos as warning
Calling for restrictions on minors setting off fireworks
Because of his profession, he has personally witnessed too many tragedies caused by setting off fireworks. Therefore, he has a deeper understanding of fireworks than ordinary people. "I absolutely do not allow my child to set off fireworks, and we also call on the country to consider legislating to regulate and restrict minors from setting off fireworks."
At the end of the interview, he appealed again, hoping to remind citizens through the media to choose small-scale, quality-qualified fireworks. He also appealed that when making fireworks, the government should require manufacturers to write phrases such as "Setting off fireworks can cause serious harm" on the outer packaging, and also note the methods and precautions for setting off fireworks, serving as a certain warning.
■ Heartfelt Words
It's hard to say "remove the eyeball"
Although he has worked in the Ocular Trauma Department for many years, every time he needs to tell the patient and their family about "removing the eyeball", it is still the most difficult and unwilling moment for Lu Hai to face. "In speaking, I will try to avoid saying words like 'it's over', 'can't save it', and instead use words like 'the injury is really severe', 'seems', 'possible', 'have to'. As a doctor, at that moment, I feel powerless and reluctant." Lu Hai said emotionally.