Medical Touts in China

Another occurrence that can only happen in China - touts. Or to be more specific, hospital touts.

First appearing in the late 80s, these touts could be found loitering outside outpatient clinics in large government hospitals. Their initial targets were Chinese "compatriots" from Hong Kong and Macau who often visited the mainland for cheaper health care services. These "compatriots" would be encouraged and persuaded by the touts to go to nearby private clinics which supposedly offer better medical care and more efficient services.

By referring patients to private clinics, touts obtained from the clinics a commensurate commission - more if the medical care involved operations, and less for minor ailments. Even though most types of common ailments can be treated, some clinics have found a "niche" by offering abortion services and dental treatment.

According to Chinese writer Tu Qiao (涂俏) in 生存体验, 当代中国边缘阶层生存状态实录 (Experiencing Survival - A True Record of Survival Among The Marginal Class in Contemporary China, Xinhua Publishing Press, 1999), costs of treatment at these clinics were naturally more expensive - from a few times to several times more as compared to government hospitals.

To convince customers that abortions done at such clinics are quick, fast and painless, some clinics even hire "actors" and "actresses" to sit in their waiting rooms. For instance, one clinic hired a girl who claimed that she often had abortions done at the clinic, and assured bona fide patients waiting nearby that the process was invariably quick, fast and painless.