China will set up funds to subsidize emergency medical fees incurred by the poor and patients whose identities are unclear, the State Council said in a guideline issued on Friday.

The move came amid government efforts to help patients whose inability to pay medical bills has resulted in hospitals ignoring them or refusing to provide treatment.

The funds will be used to cover emergency medical treatments for acute illnesses or serious injuries among the poor and patients whose identities have not been confirmed, said Sun Zhigang, director of the health reform office of the State Council.