A major public hospital in China has come under scrutiny following allegations that the son of its director received salaries and bonuses without regularly attending work, sparking accusations of a so-called “ghost salary” arrangement.
According to reports, an employee at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine accused a staff member surnamed Zhu, the son of hospital director Zhu Zhenhua, of being absent from his post in the health management department for an extended period while still receiving wages, bonuses and allowances.
The whistleblower claimed that the total irregular payments could amount to over one million yuan over several years, although initial findings by the hospital’s disciplinary committee reportedly only confirmed a smaller discrepancy of around 20,000 yuan, which was later returned.
However, the complainant rejected the initial conclusion, arguing that the investigation was incomplete and calling for higher-level disciplinary authorities to step in.
Following renewed scrutiny, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine confirmed on April 30 that it had launched its own investigation into the matter. Preliminary findings showed that Zhu had been seconded to the hospital’s intensive care unit in 2022, but continued to receive duplicate performance bonuses from his original department.
The university said the duplicated payments amounted to 84,000 yuan, and ordered Zhu to return the full sum while also instructing the hospital to strengthen internal oversight and close management loopholes.
Hospital director Zhu Zhenhua has denied claims of wrongdoing involving his son, saying the matter should be handled strictly according to official procedures. Investigations are still ongoing.
