Policy digest

Support for medical workers on front line

China will take measures to improve the working conditions of medical workers on the front line of the battle against novel coronavirus pneumonia and care for their physical and mental health, a document issued by the General Office of the State Council said on Feb 11.

As epidemic prevention work enters a critical period, medical workers are facing difficulties including heavy workloads, high infection risks, a lack of rest and great psychological pressure.

The measures, jointly taken by the National Health Commission, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Finance, are necessary to support front-line medical personnel during epidemic prevention and control work, the document said.

To improve working and rest conditions, it required efforts to renovate facilities in medical care and health institutions to meet the demands of receiving and treating patients.

Local governments above the county level will be allowed to requisition hotels near hospitals as rest places for medical workers and should guarantee their supplies of daily necessities, it said. To ensure that medical staff members are physically strong in battling the virus, time should be reasonably split between their work and rest. Shift schedules must consider their physical limitations in a scientific way.

It also stressed minimizing in-hospital infections through the use of essential protective supplies and materials.

The document also called for the enhancement of psychological crisis intervention and counseling for medical workers to relieve their mental stress.

Financial support will be offered to medical workers in the form of temporary work subsidies and merit pay for overtime, especially to outstanding performers, it said.