A dwarf doctor in China has to rely on his wife to carry him on her back to house calls, impressing people on social media. - Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
BEIJING: A rural doctor in China who is less a metre tall who relies on his wife to carry him for house calls has treated more than 2,000 villagers in recent years.
Xiao Jiulin, 60, from Jiangxi province in southeastern China, stopped growing as a child due to illness, he is now 90cm tall.
Driven by the lack of medical care in his underdeveloped village and his own suffering with illness, Xiao chose to become a doctor.
He started a small clinic in the village with a borrowed 500 yuan (US$69). However his diminutive stature made many villagers skeptical about his abilities.
One anonymous villager said: “When I first saw him I thought, ‘How can someone so small treat patients?’ I assumed he was a fraud.”
Over three decades of dedication, Xiao has won the villagers’ trust and admiration with his exceptional medical skills and warm, compassionate nature.
Whenever Xiao needs to grab medicine, he carefully stacks chairs and climbs up to reach the high shelves.
Xiao met his wife, Huang Shuzhen, more than 20 years ago, when she was admired in the village for her beauty.
In an interview with mainland media, Huang joked: “When I first saw Xiao, I was a bit scared because he was so short.”
Later, Huang was deeply touched by Xiao’s selflessness and bravery.
She took the initiative to confess her feelings, telling him: “I have fallen for you. Let’s face life’s hardships together.”
The couple has a height difference of 70cm. Xiao said his wife has never complained about his inability to take her on trips to the city.
Huang said: “I feel for his condition, and I am happy when he helps patients. I am willing to carry his medical kit for a lifetime.”
In remote areas without roads, Huang carries Xiao on her back for house calls, always bringing his medical kit with her.
Once, in her rush to help Xiao reach a patient, Huang forgot to put out the fire in their kitchen, which ended up burning their house down.
Xiao did not blame her, instead, he expressed his understanding for her. “We always trade our time for the lives of the villagers,” he said.
Xiao keeps his service fees minimal, lets villagers defer payments, and often offers free follow-ups for those with chronic illnesses.
He also regularly visits the elderly to check their blood pressure and heart rate at no charge.
Xiao told Jiangnan Daily News: “Being a doctor means doing your best to help others. I amcommitted to dedicating my life to protecting my hometown, where everyone feels like family to me.
“My greatest hope is for young people to step in and continue serving the villagers,” he said.
Now the grandfather of two grandsons and a granddaughter, Xiao’s family was honoured last year as one of China’s Most Virtuous Families by the All-China Women’s Federation.
His story has touched many on mainland social media.
One netizen said: “Salute this great rural doctor! His body may have suffered, but his heart is incredibly strong and kind.”
“Xiao’s wife is just as selfless and dedicated as he is, kind hearts have a way of finding each other,” said another. - South China Morning Post
