China increases punishment against corrupt healthcare workers

China will strengthen the punishment of healthcare workers who take advantage of their medical positions to run healthcare businesses, procure kickbacks from suppliers, or gain other forms of personal interest, according to a notice released by the National Health Commission and 13 other government departments on Monday.

The notice lays out this year's key tasks for cracking down on malpractices in the pharmaceutical and medical service sectors.

It said that oversight of key personnel at well-known hospitals and renowned professionals will be enhanced, and clampdowns on the corruption of accepting disguised benefits from pharmaceutical companies will also be stepped up.

In the meantime, more attention will be devoted to illegal activities in the sectors of assisted fertility, health examinations, aesthetic medicine, and internet healthcare, it said.