A Chinese anaesthesiologist identified by the surname Qu has been condemned after his unorthodox and dangerous attempt to treat his girlfriend’s insomnia resulted in her death. Qu, who worked at an unnamed hospital in Jiajiang county, Leshan, Sichuan province, administered excessive doses of propofol—a powerful anesthetic—over six hours in a hotel room, leading to her acute intoxication and fatality.

Qu’s relationship with the victim, surnamed Chen, began through an online dating platform in mid-2022. Chen, a pharmaceutical sales representative, reportedly suffered from chronic insomnia and sought Qu's help for relief. Starting in September 2023, Qu began administering propofol to Chen in hotel rooms, a practice that tragically culminated in her death on March 6, 2024.

On that fateful night, Qu injected Chen with nearly 1,300 mg of propofol in over 20 doses between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. He also left an additional 100 mg of the anesthetic for her self-use before leaving the hotel in the morning. When he returned, he found Chen unresponsive. A subsequent medical examination confirmed acute propofol intoxication as the cause of her death.

Qu immediately reported the incident to local authorities, confessed to his actions, and compensated Chen’s family with 400,000 yuan (approximately $55,000). His actions led to a charge of negligent homicide. On November 1, 2024, the People’s Court of Renshou County sentenced him to two and a half years in prison, a sentence that sparked widespread criticism online.

An employee from a leading propofol manufacturer in Shanghai clarified the drug's intended use and risks. She explained that propofol is designed for short-term anesthesia induction and sedation, not for treating insomnia. “Typically, clinical doses for anesthesia induction are 1.5–2.5 mg per kilogram of body weight. For maintenance, doses range from 4–12 mg per kilogram, and sedation doses vary between 1.5–4.5 mg per kilogram, depending on the patient’s needs,” the expert noted. “An injection dose of 1,300 mg is significantly higher than standard treatment protocols. Fatalities from excessive use of anesthetics like this are not uncommon.” She also emphasized the risk of addiction and misuse when such potent drugs are abused.

Critics of Qu’s sentence questioned his professional judgment and expressed disbelief at the leniency of the penalty. “An anesthesiologist does not know the proper dosage for anesthetic drugs? Is this negligence? Is this not murder?” one user asked on social media. Another wondered how Qu managed to access such large quantities of propofol outside a hospital setting and whether his employer should bear some responsibility.

The court cited mitigating factors, including Qu’s self-surrender, confession, compensation to Chen’s family, and their subsequent forgiveness, as reasons for the lenient sentence. However, many online observers were unconvinced, with one remarking, “Negligent homicide plus a confession and compensation equals only 2.5 years?”

The tragedy has reignited debates around medical ethics, the misuse of anesthetics, and institutional accountability. Critics are calling for stricter oversight on the distribution of controlled substances like propofol and harsher penalties for medical professionals who misuse their expertise.

Reference :

1. https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3286714/china-doctor-kills-insomniac-girlfriend-injecting-anaesthetics-20-times-6-hours

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble)