A female doctor in China collapsed in front of her patients and soon died after working for 18 hours straight.
Colleagues described her as a hard worker who would never turn down a request for help if someone asked. They said even on her days off, she would still come in to help.
During cold weather, the respiratory unit is usually busier than at other times of the year, the Evening News reports. A colleague said that, in addition to the higher caseload, they were given a special assignment.
“I saw her in the hospital the whole day last Tuesday. She was still working in the afternoon on Wednesday. I asked her, ‘Did you not rest?’ Dr. Zhao said, ‘Too busy,’” a patient told the Evening News.
She started work at 6 p.m. on Dec. 28, and collapsed at about noon on Dec. 29 in front of her patients. She was rushed to the intensive care unit, but her colleagues were unable to revive her.
Her parents, both in their 80s, were called the hospital to be with her in her last moments, and on Dec. 30 at 11:16 a.m she passed away. She was 43 years old.
It’s unclear whether Zhao’s long hours contributed to her death.
According to state-run media, feeling overworked in China is not uncommon.
