A group of Russian doctors study cupping practice at a traditional Chinese medicine hospital in Gansu province. (Photo/Xinhua)
He salutes medical workers' crucial?role, says their sacrifices benefit all
President Xi Jinping called?on Friday for greater understanding?for medical workers,?to help create?an atmosphere?that respects doctors and?acknowledges the importance?of hygiene and health work.
Xi, also general secretary of?the Communist Party of China?Central Committee, made?the remark?in an instruction?ahead of the first Chinese?Medical Workers'?Day, which?falls on Sunday.
Xi said medical workers?have traditionally carried forward?the spirit of reverence?for life, healing?the injured?and rescuing or bringing comfort?to the dying, and their sacrifices?have hugely?benefited?the public.
Medical workers play an?important role in areas such?as preventing and treating?diseases,?cultivating medical?talent and developing medical?technology, and fruitful?results have been?achieved, he?said.
When faced with infectious?diseases or helping survivors?of natural disasters, medical?personnel?have been undeterred?and risked their own?lives to save others, Xi said,?noting that this has won?praise from society.
Xi also called on medical?workers to carry forward the?humanitarian spirit to save?lives, and to?make further contributions?to promoting people's?health.
In November, the State?Council, China's Cabinet,?approved designating Aug 19?as Chinese Medical?Workers' Day.
Its establishment reflected?the importance that the CPC?Central Committee attaches?to hygiene?and health work, as?well as its recognition of the?excellent performance of?medical workers, Xi?said.
Vice-Premier?Sun Chunlan?extended Xi's holiday greetings?to the country's health?workers when?visiting and?talking with medical staff in?Beijing Haidian Hospital on?Friday.
Sun said she hoped Chinese?Medical Workers'?Day could?be a new starting point for?them to?promote public?health and well-being?with?high-quality?services.
She also urged governments?and departments at all?levels to implement the decision?of the?Party's Central?Committee and the State?Council, so that the hard work?of medical workers is?recognized.
Deng Liqiang, legal affairs?director of the Chinese Medical?Doctor Association, said?Chinese?Medical Workers' Day, different from International?Nurses Day or World?Teachers'?Day, reflects?the?country's particular care for?China's medical staff.
Xi has always stressed a?People-centered?approach in?his governance philosophy,?and this?instruction is a reflection?of this philosophy, Deng?said, adding, "It also shows?the importance Xi?attaches to?public health."
Deng also said he hoped?Chinese Medical Workers' Day could encourage medical?workers to?make efforts in?building a more harmonious?relationship between doctors?and patients.
