Medical staff at a hospital in China are required to run together for exercise after work to ensure they have healthy bodies to care for patients. However, this has sparked polarized reactions from internet users.
According to a report by Jimu News, a video circulating on social media shows a large group of medical staff in casual clothes gathering in front of the outpatient building of a tertiary hospital in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province—Shijiazhuang Xibu Central Hospital—and jogging in groups along the hospital roads.
The netizen who posted the video said she captured the scene by chance while buying medicine, and sighed, "It's the first time I've seen doctors at a hospital being required to do group running."
According to her description, medical staff need to complete five laps, and she also heard a call before the run emphasizing, "Strengthen the body. Only by ensuring we have a good physique can we safeguard the health of the public."
In response to this, a hospital staff member said that the running culture at the hospital has become a tradition.
It is understood that this activity has been implemented since 2020, taking place every Monday to Friday at 5:30 p.m., with each session covering about two kilometers. Except for on-duty medical staff and those performing surgeries, all administrative, logistical, and other medical personnel are required to participate.
According to medical staff at the hospital, a roll call is conducted before the group run, and anyone unable to attend must provide a leave note. Besides the running group, there is also a walking group. Music is played during the run, and after the whole activity, "we're sweating but feel quite relaxed." In addition, the hospital also organizes military training for newly hired medical staff every year.
This matter has sparked differing opinions online. Some netizens believe that medical staff already have tough jobs and should have flexible arrangements for exercise; mandatory group running may add to their burden. Others are concerned whether medical services might be affected during the running period.
However, there are also voices in support of this practice. Hospital staff say the running activity is scheduled after work, aiming to improve the physical fitness of medical staff so they can better take care of patients. The hospital also encourages patients to participate in exercise but ensures their safety.
According to the website of Shijiazhuang Health Commission, Shijiazhuang Xibu Central Hospital (Jingxing County Hospital) is a tertiary general hospital. It is not only an "Academician Workstation" and "National Early Diagnosis and Treatment Project Demonstration Base for Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer," but also one of the first batch of "Thousand County Project" demonstration units nationwide. In 2022, it was also selected as a provincial modern hospital management system model hospital.