Shanghai hospital president under investigation for corruption

Cheng Yingsheng, president of Tongji Hospital, a prestigious medical institution in Shanghai, is under investigation for suspected violations of discipline and law, authorities announced on Monday.

The announcement came from the discipline inspection and supervision commissions of Tongji University and Shanghai's Hongkou district.

Cheng, a medical radiology and imaging specialist, previously served as vice-president of Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital and Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital. He assumed the current role as president of Tongji Hospital in November 2021.

Tongji Hospital is a leading healthcare provider in Shanghai, handling over 2 million outpatient and emergency visits annually.

Cheng's investigation is part of a wider effort to combat corruption within China's medical sector. Since the beginning of 2024, over 160 healthcare officials, including leaders from local health commissions, medical insurance bureaus, and drug regulatory agencies, have been probed as of June 23.

The crackdown extends to prominent figures within the healthcare system. More than 70 hospital presidents and Party secretaries, with at least 22 leading top-tier hospitals, are among those investigated. Recent cases include Chen Xiaoping, former Party secretary of Shangrao People's Hospital in Jiangxi province, and Shang Xiaoming, former director of Tangshan Workers' Hospital in Hebei province.

This initiative aligns with a recent emphasis by China's top anti-corruption watchdogs, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision. On June 19, they issued a commentary highlighting their focus on sectors prone to corruption, including finance, state-owned enterprises, and healthcare.

The commentary also reiterated the importance of addressing grassroots corruption, targeting issues in education, employment, and healthcare that directly impact citizens.