Cosmetic Surgery, The Chinese Way

I am off the topic of infectious diseases and treading out of my comfort zone.

Source: NY Times

Back in 1997, in the last semester of medical school, I spent 4 weeks in Beijing, China, as a visiting medical student at the Capital University of Medical Sciences. Part of the personal allure was the opportunity to experience medicine in the Eastern tradition. My hosts, however, were more interested in showing me their sophisticated medical services, ICUs, CT and MRI scanners. 

They were modernizing, quickly. The Beijing skyline was densely populated with tall buildings and ubiquitous, construction cranes, testaments to the breakneck growth of a country on the rise.

With a capitalist economy and wealth comes the growing need for newer, non-traditional medical services. Cosmetic surgery.

This recent NY Times article explores the growing demand for cosmetic surgery in China, a trend incentivized by high reimbursement,  little medical regulation and supported by a young, vain and wealthy clientele.  

Modernity is now in Chinese medicine. This is a massive departure from the barefoot doctors of China's recent past.