China's first fundamental and comprehensive law on primary medical and health care has taken effect since June 1. It aims to protect medical staff from being threatened or injured by patients.

It's frequently reported that patients and their families attacked doctors. According to the Chinese Medical Doctors' Association, 66 percent of the surveyed doctors experienced conflicts with patients in 2018.

To provide a safe working environment for doctors and nurses, it is essential to improve the medical system and distribute medical resources in a more balanced and reasonable manner. In this way, patients' medical needs can be better satisfied and disputes between doctors and patients will decrease. The health administration should establish a sound medical service system and a tiered diagnosis and treatment system.

Hospitals should take on the responsibility to protect employees. Public security organs should formulate early warning mechanisms to enhance their emergency response capacity. In addition, it is necessary to promote a culture of respecting doctors through publicity and education.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in The Beijing News on May 26)    

(Print Edition Title: Law to Protect Medical Workers)