The president of a private mental hospital in Huazhou City was arrested Aug. 1 for allegedly selling female patients as wives and allowing women to engage in prostitution at the hospital, the Information Times reported Tuesday.

The hospital chief, surnamed Wang, had allegedly sold more than 20 patients since 1998 for amounts ranging from several thousand yuan to 10,000 yuan (US$1,210). Wang allegedly often gave large doses of suppressant drugs to patients before selling them. The patients were often returned days or months later when their symptoms returned. When a buyer asked for a refund, Wang would refuse, allegedly claiming that the buyer had slept with the patient and had to pay money.

Some patients were sold more than once, according to an insider. One patient was allegedly sold five times. Wang was also being investigated for allowing women to engage in prostitution in the playroom of the hospital. Some prostitutes were allegedly recruited from outside and some were patients. A patient from Zhanjiang City reportedly became pregnant through prostitution. The baby boy she gave birth to was allegedly sold for 17,000 yuan (US$2,053).

(Shenzhen Daily August 20, 2003)