Because of his passion for traditional Chinese medicine, Mr. Cheng's relationship with his family is not very harmonious. Mr. Cheng has collected a large number of herbs from all over the province. Every time he goes out to "treat" patients, Mr. Cheng puts on his work uniform.
At 60 years old, Cheng Chaonan from Qingshan is a "medicine enthusiast." He hasn't bought new clothes in years, aiming to save money to buy medicine for patients; he never lets his family use his medical insurance card, but he has used it to spend over a thousand yuan on patients; he writes prescriptions, dispenses medicine, cooks it, and personally feeds it to patients; despite not finishing elementary school and having no medical background, he taught himself acupuncture, injuring himself repeatedly in the process. He says his goal is to conquer cancer, but he is not a doctor and has no medical practice certificate or any professional license.
Two years ago, he became obsessed with medicine and devoted himself to researching ways to conquer major diseases like cancer and leukemia. He travels day and night across Wuhan's three towns, providing free treatment to people everywhere, much to the worry of his family.
"Practicing medicine without a license could result in someone dying. What would we do then?" Cheng Ao, Mr. Cheng's eldest son, anxiously called the newspaper recently.
Cheng Ao explained that his father didn't finish elementary school and was a retired worker from Yichang Iron & Steel Company. Previously, he worked as a fitter, crane operator, and welder, never engaging in any medical-related profession. Throughout his life, he loved helping others. After retirement, he was always ready to help neighbors in the community and was deeply respected and liked by everyone.
Two years ago, his father inexplicably became fascinated with studying medicine. First, he bought several boxes of medical books, neglecting meals and sleep, immersing himself in reading for entire days at a time. He even quit his favorite hobby, playing mahjong. "Just studying would have been fine, but later it developed into treating people everywhere." Initially, he treated injuries, arthritis, and rheumatism, and the family supported these good deeds. However, he eventually lost interest in these "minor illnesses" and began focusing on treating cancer patients. Last week, he became obsessed with treating leukemia.
For this reason, Cheng Ao reported his father multiple times to health authorities and even called 110. The health department officials found that although Mr. Cheng had no licenses or professional medical training, he provided free treatment and even subsidized patients, leading to debates about whether his actions constituted illegal medical practice. The police officers were also at a loss, suggesting the family accompany Mr. Cheng on his "house calls" and inform patients that he is not a doctor. If patients insist on trusting him, the family should ask them to write a guarantee absolving them of responsibility. Cheng Ao also "tracked" his father a few times, sometimes being discovered and losing him. Eventually, he followed him to a patient's home where the patient's family willingly wrote a guarantee, allowing him to relax. However, since he still had to work, constantly "shadowing" his father proved unbearable.
Mr. Cheng's wife ——
"He's completely obsessed."
Mr. Cheng's actions were difficult for his son to understand and even harder for his wife, Chen Yumei, to accept. "Whenever this topic comes up, I feel frustrated. For the sake of patients, he even threatened to divorce me."
In July this year, a TV station reported on a cancer patient whose cancer had spread throughout the body, with abdominal fluid swelling to the size of a basketball. Several large hospitals said there was nothing they could do, giving him a maximum of three months to live.
After learning about it, Mr. Cheng carried a medical bag weighing over ten pounds, transferred buses twice, and spent nearly two hours traveling to the patient's home for a "house call." From then on, Mr. Cheng treated the patient as if he were part of his own family, searching everywhere for Chinese herbal medicines. He visited the Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tongji Hospital, and Union Hospital, often covering all three in one morning, paying for transportation himself and using his medical insurance card to buy medicine for the patient.
On October 16, the patient's condition worsened, and Mr. Cheng stayed away from home for two days and two nights. The family frantically searched for him everywhere. Two days later, Mr. Cheng returned home, disheveled, holding a lump of black material: "This is what I dug up in Guangshui. It has a significant effect on inhibiting cancer cells." This led to a fierce argument between Mrs. Chen and Mr. Cheng. Mr. Cheng remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "Divorce. I don't want anything except my salary card and medical insurance card. Even the house we built can be yours."
Mrs. Chen retorted, "Fine, I don't want the house either." Mr. Cheng suddenly smiled and said, "If you really don't want it, I'll donate the house so patients can stay there."
Mrs. Chen was speechless with anger. The family had been living in a rented apartment in Dazhou Village after their house in Gongren Village was demolished. Both sons had low wages and relied on the rebuilt house. Yet, Mr. Cheng planned to donate it? Clearly, he cared more about patients than his family.
Another time, while buying groceries, they encountered a fat man holding his waist. She initially paid no attention, but when she reached the market, she realized Mr. Cheng was gone. Searching back, she found him chatting enthusiastically with the fat man, who had severe lumbar disease. In no time, Mr. Cheng bought some medicine from a nearby pharmacy and left with the man. At home, he helped apply ointment, gave massages, and even struggled to carry the 180-pound man for traction. The man laughed, but Mr. Cheng couldn't sleep for half the night.
"He's completely obsessed," Mrs. Chen concluded.
Mr. Cheng ——
"What's wrong with bringing infectious patients home?"
On October 19, the reporter visited Mr. Cheng's home. Upon entering, Mr. Cheng was seen wearing reading glasses and studying an acupuncture book. Clearly, his son and wife were still in a "cold war" with him.
Mr. Cheng led the reporter to his studio on the rooftop. The first thing that caught the eye was a row of banners, followed by a large collection of medical books, a dictionary, and many herbs. Antlers and turtle shells were treasured by Mr. Cheng like precious items. On his desk sat a human model covered in acupuncture points. Previously, he brought patients home for treatment, but the family complained about some having infectious diseases and argued with him daily. "You say others are already suffering from illness. I provide food and shelter, and treat them. What's wrong with that?" Eventually, Mr. Cheng cleaned up a storage room on the rooftop and turned it into his studio.
Mr. Cheng explained that his "medical skills" were passed down from his ancestors. His great-grandfather was once a doctor who cured many people, so he wanted to continue the tradition of healing. Cheng Ao dismissed this claim: "He never even met his great-grandfather, how could it be inherited?"
Nowadays, Mr. Cheng has become a well-known figure, with patients coming specifically from Xishui to seek his treatment. Over the past three months, he has been helping Peng Zhuying, a kidney cancer patient from Zhuye Mountain. Peng Zhuying, residing in Huajiao Street, is the patient Mr. Cheng has invested the most effort into and marks the farthest distance he has traveled for a house call. Peng Zhuying is 46 years old and in the late stages of kidney cancer, bedridden for years. The reporter accompanied Mr. Cheng to her home, where he, dressed in a white coat and carrying a medical bag, resembled a kind-hearted elderly doctor.
Peng Zhuying's husband said that the hospital had pronounced his wife dead, and the family had given up treatment. Mr. Cheng's arrival gave them hope. After months of herbal medicine adjustments, Peng Zhuying showed slight improvement. "We are all very grateful to him. When our son, who served in the army, learned about this, he cried uncontrollably and immediately knelt down, calling Mr. Cheng 'Dad.'"
Zhang Rongqiao said, "I know Mr. Cheng doesn't have a medical practice license, but my wife is in such a condition. Even if something unexpected happens, we won't blame him. We're willing to sign a guarantee."
The Wuhan Health Bureau ——
"His spirit is touching, but his actions are unacceptable."
Director Sun from the Supervision Department of the Wuhan Health Bureau was moved after hearing Mr. Cheng's story. He said that Mr. Cheng's willingness to help others is indeed admirable, but his actions are unacceptable.
According to relevant laws, medical practice must be conducted by legitimate medical institutions and individuals with appropriate qualifications. Mr. Cheng does not possess a medical practice license, so engaging in related medical activities is illegal. Although his spirit is commendable, his methods are inappropriate and constitute illegal medical practice. Should an accident occur, he would bear legal responsibility.
Associate Professor Chen Zhenhua from the Mental Health Center of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University analyzed that Mr. Cheng's obsession with practicing medicine stems partly from his outgoing personality and partly from the need for more care and understanding from his family regarding this change. It might be due to the emptiness and loneliness after retirement that turned Mr. Cheng into a "medicine enthusiast," which is a psychological dependency. Instead of blocking it, the family should guide it properly, otherwise, it could lead to more mental health issues in older adults.
"I will make breakthroughs in conquering cancer."
Reporter: What made you suddenly interested in studying medicine, especially cancer?
Mr. Cheng: It wasn't sudden interest. I've said my medical skills are inherited. I have talent in this area, but I was too busy working before. Now that I'm retired, it's the right time.
Reporter: Why do you dare to accept patients that hospitals have abandoned? Do you realize the consequences if something goes wrong during treatment?
Mr. Cheng: I think some big hospitals are too conservative in treating cancer. If a book specifies using 10g of a certain herb, doctors prescribe exactly 10g. I use an open approach, increasing some dosages. I believe I have many unique insights into medicine and will make breakthroughs in conquering cancer. If something happens to the patient, I'll go to jail myself, but I won't regret it.
Reporter: Why do you provide free treatment, even subsidizing costs? What do you gain from it?
Mr. Cheng: Nothing. A simple "thank you" is the best affirmation for me.
Reporter: Why do you treat patients like family but seem distant from your own family?
Mr. Cheng: How do I not care for them? I used to cook and wash clothes for them every day, but they only show resentment and misunderstanding. This severely damaged my confidence, leading to the current situation. Conversely, being with patients and doing things for them, getting their recognition, makes me happy.
Reporter: What if the Health Bureau investigates and stops you from practicing medicine without a license?
Mr. Cheng: I'm under a lot of pressure. I'd like to take the qualification exam, but I'm old and lack education. Sometimes, I even need to look up words in the dictionary when reading books or writing prescriptions. It's quite difficult. If they stop me, I'll have no choice but to stop.