Incident reveals doctor-patient conflict on the rise nationwide

The father of Wang Hao, the medical intern killed by a patient in a Harbin hospital in March, opened an account on Sina Weibo on Saturday.

He wrote to express appreciation to all who provided support and released information about Wang's funeral to mourn the young medical worker.

The tragedy happened on March 23 in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, when a teenage patient attacked Wang and his colleagues as they were doing paperwork in the doctor's office.

Wang, 28, who had just received an offer from the doctorate program of the University of Hong Kong, was killed and three other doctors seriously injured.

The patient was arrested immediately.

The incident is still being investigated, but the patient confessed that he was unhappy with the treatment he had received at the hospital, according to local police.

Wang's father has also called for compensation for his son's death, which is pending. He wrote on weibo: "We arrived at Harbin after my son's death, and stayed for two weeks. But so far, we haven't gained an acceptable answer from the hospital or the school. I'm not fighting alone, or asking for just resolution only for my son, but for nationwide medical workers and families. I felt great relief from your support and encouragement."

Many netizens have expressed their concern over strained doctor-patient relations in China.

After the tragedy, the Ministry of Health issued a document requiring hospitals to carry out security supervision around the clock.

Wang's tragedy was the latest violent case triggered by doctor-patient conflict.

On Jan 31, 2011, at Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, nearly 20 members from a patient's family broke into the doctor's office and attacked 10 doctors and nurses, six of whom were seriously injured.

One suspect was detained, three were taken into criminal custody, and other two others received a warning.

On Aug 16 at Chang'an Hospital in Dongguan, South China's Guangdong province, a patient killed his former doctor and seriously injured another doctor passing by.

On Sept 15 at Beijing Tongren Hospital, a patient stabbed and seriously injured the doctor in charge of his case.