(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-05-22 08:40

Zhang Panlin, a 74-year-old retired doctor, fainted and his heart stopped beating for a minute on May 13 while operating on a patient at the Shifang No 2 People's Hospital.

The operation was his seventh that day. When he came to 30 minutes later, he rested for just two hours before insisting he got back to work.

Zhang Panlin checks on patient Chen Yuqiu yesterday, at a makeshift hospital in Shifang Sichuan province. [China Daily]

"This is a time for saving people's lives. We have to grasp every second, I cannot afford to waste time," he said.

Shifang No 2 People's Hospital, in one of the worst-hit areas, was thronged with injured people shortly after the quake.

Zhang, a surgeon, was appointed leader of a medical team that treated more than 200 people within the first one hour.

Zhang had been rushing between consultations and operations. When he fainted next to the operating table, Zeng Xiangwu, dean of the hospital, said he was very worried.

"Before the operation he told me he felt ill and I gave him two glonoine pills," Zeng said.

"He kept them in his mouth and went into the operating theater," he said.

"I really did not expect Zhang to faint and his heart to stop beating. We at once resuscitated him, and 30 minutes later he was out of danger."

Zhang has a history of heart disease. He suffered a heart attack two years ago.

"I was operating on a patient when suddenly I began to sweat. I felt nauseous, and soon after fell unconscious," Zhang said.

When asked by the Xinhua News Agency why he did not leave the room, Zhang replied: "In the circumstances, it was impossible. So many people were waiting to be treated. It was my duty to treat them."

Zhang said since his recovery he can not remember how many operations he has performed. "I am only clear about one thing, I must treat whoever needs help."

One of his patients was a girl named Chen Yuqiu, a survivor of the collapsed Yinghua Primary School.

"Her abdomen was infected, but she is now out of danger," Zhang said.

He said treating patients brought him happiness.

"I feel most gratified when operations are successful. The patients and their families are happy and so am I," he said.

Zhang retired from Huaxi hospital, Sichuan University, 16 years ago. Instead of enjoying his retirement he started to teach at the Shifang No 2 People's Hospital. Many of the current doctors at the hospital used to be his students, including the dean.

"My family respects me and supports my work. When people ask me when I am going to stop working, I always say 'until I am so old, I have no more strength'," Zhang said.