The need to ensure the safety of medical staff has again come to the fore as a retired doctor repeatedly stabbed at his home by a former patient in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, died on Saturday after remaining in intensive care for 43 hours.

Chen Zhongwei, 60, the recently retired director of the executive department of stomatology (oral health) of Guangdong General Hospital, was attacked at home on Thursday by a patient he had treated 25 years ago.

The 47-year-old suspect surnamed Liu followed Chen home, attacked him and then committed suicide by jumping off a balcony at Chen's home, according to the police.