China's national health watchdog on Feb 23 reported on the fight against medical criminal offenses and maintenance of public security in medical facilities at a news conference in Beijing.

Guo Yanhong, deputy director of medical administration at the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC), said that in July 2016 nine departments under the State Council, or China's Cabinet, co-initiated a special program to fight against medical criminal offenses.

Public security organs around the country strengthened public security maintenance in and around medical institutions and curbed illegal activities in a timely manner, said Guo.

Eighty-five percent of large-scale hospitals have had police offices built in them, and more than 6,000 have installed alarm systems that are connected to the local public security network, Guo said.

The Supreme People's Court released data at the conference showing that the number of conflicts between health workers and patients has fallen in recent years.

The total number of civil and criminal cases stemming from medical disputes fell by 6.7 percent last year compared with 2015, according to the top court.

Civil courts nationwide received 21,480 cases last year in which litigants claimed compensation for medical disputes, down by 7.5 percent year-on-year. Of those cases, 6,489 were resolved through mediation, while 3,572 were withdrawn.

The data did not include figures for criminal cases.

Guo said that the rule of law is important to build a harmonious doctor-patient relationship.

In dealing with medical cases, such legal means as conciliation and litigation should be used, noted Guo.

Mediation has become a major channel to address medical disputes, said Guo, adding that over 60,000 cases were settled in this way and more than 85 percent were settled satisfactorily.

The NHFPC will continue the reform of the medical and health sector and improve health services centered on patients. Humanistic care will also be strengthened, according to Guo.