A woman surnamed Deng in Zhang's housing estate said many patients were seen arriving in Zhang's home to receive treatment and training on weekends, and the patients included people from Shenzhen, Zhuhai and other cities across South China's Guangdong province.

"And many of Zhang's patients are free to receive Zhang's treatment and training," Deng said.

"A patient who once failed to resume his speaking function after having received treatment in many hospitals now has gradually resumed his speaking functions after receiving Zhang's treatment. And earlier this year the patient presented Zhang a silk banner to express his appreciation to Zhang," she said.

Meanwhile, Zhang frequently travels more than 20 kilometers by metro train to visit patients without larynxes in Foshan city on weekends once every two weeks to help them learn how to speak again.