China health body supervises psychiatric fraud probe

China's National Health Commission said on Thursday that it has dispatched officials and experts to supervise investigations into suspected medical insurance fraud at several psychiatric hospitals in Hubei province.

The commission said it has attached great significance to recent media reports involving psychiatric hospitals in the cities of Xiangyang and Yichang. The hospitals are accused of admitting patients without mental illnesses, defrauding medical insurance funds and infringing on patients' rights.

An official team will supervise and guide local authorities in conducting investigations and handling violations in accordance with laws and regulations, the commission said in a statement aired by China Central Television.

The commission also urged health authorities nationwide to strengthen oversight of psychiatric hospitals and related departments at all levels, standardize medical services, and effectively safeguard patients' rights and public health.