Hospitals strengthen security to prevent violence

Hospitals in China will step up security after seven people died of attacks in hospitals last year, according to a document issued on Tuesday.

Measures will prevent and reduce attacks in hospitals and "protect legal interests of both doctors and patients," said the document, jointly issued by the National Health and Family Planning Commission and the Ministry of Public Security.

"Prevention and emergency response should be improved to ensure timely handling of malicious incidents," it said, adding that security personnel should always be on duty.

Patients should be advised to uphold their rights and interests "in a rational manner" and medical staff should be informed of security issues.

Hospital inspections should improve, and security equipment be installed if necessary to prevent knives and other dangerous items being taken into hospitals. Video surveillance and electronic inspection should be improved.

Last year, 11 violent attacks on medical staff occurred in hospitals in eight provinces and municipalities including Beijing, killing seven people and injuring 28, including doctors, patients and a security guard.

Last month, police in central China's Hunan Province arrested a man suspected of injuring three nurses with a knife in the latest hospital attack, following a dispute over cosmetic surgery.