China urges better protection of medical institutions, personnel

Chinese authorities have demanded various measures be taken against violence against medical personnel, provoking trouble at medical institutions and other hospital-related crimes, Xinhua learned Wednesday.

Assaulting medical personnel and restricting their freedom should be stopped and perpetrators be held accountable, said a circular by the National Health and Family Planning Commission, Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Justice and the central comprehensive management office.

Medical institutions are advised to pay special attention to key groups such as patients with severe mental disorders, and keep a list of patients and their relatives who repeatedly harass the institutions or threaten revenge against medical personnel.

Troublemakers who cause substantial loss could face criminal penalties, the circular said.

Police should be properly deployed to help maintain order in hospitals and their vicinity, according to the circular.

It also required medical institutions and public security agencies to promptly report above-mentioned crimes to their supervisors, especially those involving death, serious injury or resulting in mass incidents. Endi