Police nationwide have been told by the top public security body to crack down severely on crimes targeting medical workers, following a number of doctor-patient disputes resulting in death or injury to medical staff.

In a circular released on Thursday, the Ministry of Public Security said police departments should step up their examination and guidance of efforts made by hospitals to ensure workers' safety and to curb assaults on employees.

"No matter for what reason, or with what approach, organizations or individuals are banned from disturbing order in hospitals, harming the safety of medical workers, damaging hospital property or infringing on the rights of patients," the ministry said.