Gansu hospital under external management after falsifying lead test results

A hospital in Tianshui, Gansu province, announced on Sunday night that it has been placed under external management after admitting to tampering with the results of blood tests measuring lead levels that had exceeded safe limits.

According to a statement from the Health Commission of Gansu Province, the Gansu Provincial Hospital will take over full administration of the Tianshui Second People's Hospital to strengthen its clinical services. Thirty-six provincial experts have been sent for long-term assignments, and Li Xingyong, the former Party secretary of the Gansu Provincial Hospital, will become the new director.

In response to public concern over inaccurate testing results, authorities said the hospital had installed the country's most advanced equipment for testing blood lead levels. Installation, calibration, and staff training are now complete, and three provincial inspection specialists are on site to ensure accurate testing.

Earlier on Sunday, officials revealed that between May 1 and June 30, seven children from Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui who were tested at the hospital had elevated blood lead levels. For the two children with the highest readings, the hospital altered the reported values. The investigation also confirmed that the laboratory had previously made other irregular modifications to blood lead level test data.

Following Sunday's statement, local disease control authorities also saw personnel changes. Zhang Tingsheng was appointed Party secretary and director of the Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, replacing the previous leadership, now subject to formal investigation.