Top court targets hospital attackers

Those who attack or humiliate medical personnel will face the full force of the law after a spate of headline-grabbing incidents, the top court said during the two sessions.

Medical disputes, often involving violence, have escalated dramatically in recent years and have not been sufficiently dealt with, said Cheng Xinwen, a senior official from the civil department of the Supreme People's Court.

Carrying out such attacks will mean that perpetrators will face the full legal consequences, according to Cheng.

The courts are striving to deal with medical disputes, especially through adequate compensation, Cheng said.

Zhou Qiang, president of the top court, also expressed his determination to deal with medical disputes as he discussed the matter with deputies from Hunan province on Tuesday.

Zhou confirmed that courts did not and will not tolerate any violent behavior, according to the China Youth Daily website.

Zhou also confirmed that the top court is still reviewing the death sentence passed on a man who killed a doctor and injured two others in Wenling, Zhejiang province, the daily said.

Lian Enqing, 33, fatally stabbed Wang Yuejie, 46 and wounded two other physicians at the First People's Hospital of Wenling on Oct 25. He was apparently angry over a nose surgery conducted at the hospital.

Zhou also reiterated that the top court will publish a series of cases of medical disputes and will strictly punish those who cause death or injury, the daily added.