A Shanghai hospital has launched a program to improve the health of its medical staff and boost their career enthusiasm amid the stressful job atmosphere.

Shanghai Children's Medical Center announced on Monday that it has introduced an international health standard, aiming to establish a healthy workplace for the well-being of its staff.

The standard was initiated by the nonprofit organization CEO Roundtable on Cancer, which urges employers to create healthy workplaces to reduce the risks of cancer and other diseases. Based on the standard, the program will focus on a series of improvements in people's health, including nutrition, physical activity, prevention and early detection of disease, and avoidance of tobacco.

"Doctors provide medical services and help patients become healthy. However, the health of doctors has not received enough attention," said Jiang Zhongyi, president of Shanghai Children's Medical Center, adding that medical staff's current health condition is worrisome.

The hospital conducted a survey of its medical staff last year, and found that nearly 60 percent of staff members said they faced high stress.

In addition to individual lifestyle differences and genetic factors, other threats to the health of medical personnel include mental stress and labor intensity, Jiang said.

"We should not only work on developing better career paths for medical workers, but we also need to help create a more comfortable and healthy working environment for them," Jiang added.

In addition to encouraging more exercise and designing a more nutritious diet, the hospital also set up a psychological room where staff members can have their stress analyzed and receive professional psychological care.

According to a recent report by the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, more than 66 percent of medical workers nationwide are in poor health.

wanghongyi@chinadaily.com.cn