Better protection of doctors urged after China hospital murder

China's health regulator and a top doctor's association urged local authorities to better protect the personal safety of medical staff after a doctor was killed in an attack in the eastern city of Wenzhou.

A cardiovascular internist was attacked by a patient on Friday and died the following day, the Chinese Medical Doctor Association said in a statement on its website.

No reasons for the attack were disclosed.

"Violent harm inflicted on medical personnel is a serious illegal and criminal act and we strongly condemn it," the National Health Commission said in a statement posted on its official wechat account.

"Local authorities should improve hospital safety prevention systems and effectively implement security measures."

The doctors' association condemned any form of violence against medical personnel and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to defend the dignity of health-care workers.

According to a report in China Daily, at around 1pm on Friday, a man injured a doctor at the Cardiology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University and then jumped off a building.

The injured doctor, Li Sheng, passed away due to severe injuries, the later said.

The association also called upon all sectors of society to work together to create a harmonious and orderly health-care environment.

It has initiated a physician rights protection and assistance program and provided support to the family of the doctor.

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