Chinese authorities on Thursday called for more efforts to protect and take care of medical staff in the fight against the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia. 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the leading group of the CPC Central Committee on the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus outbreak, presided over a meeting of the leading group. 

"Medical workers are the backbone force in defeating the epidemic," a statement released after the meeting said, calling for implementing measures to improve their working conditions and protect their physical and mental health. 

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Xi Jinping stresses protection, care for medical professionals in coronavirus battle

1,716 Chinese medical workers infected, 6 dead as of Feb. 11

China pledged to adopt multiple measures to further protect its medical workers as they fight on the front line and expose themselves to dangers amid the outbreak, according to a press conference Thursday. 

Efforts will be made to ensure the supply of medical protective gear and their proper use, as well as to better monitor and report the health conditions of medical workers, said Wang Guiqiang with the Chinese Medical Association at the press conference held by the joint prevention and control mechanism of the State Council. 

The leading group also urged efforts to speed up the use of effective drugs in treating COVID-19 patients, resume work and production in an orderly way and ensure the supply of daily necessities in Hubei Province and its capital city Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak.