The medical treatment mode of establishing pulmonary pneumoconiosis rehabilitation stations – in Southwest China's Chongqing -- is expected to be promoted nationwide in order to improve results for sufferers, according to a video conference on occupational disease prevention and control held in the city on March 20.

Pneumoconiosis is one of a group of lung diseases caused by breathing in certain kinds of dust particles that damage the lungs. Because the dust is more likely to be encountered in the workplace, pneumoconiosis is more commonly called occupational lung disease and variants include asbestosis, silicosis and coal workers' pneumoconiosis.

In order to enable patients with pneumoconiosis to recover better, Chongqing has explored and established pneumoconiosis rehabilitation stations at Chengkou county, Kaizhou district, Fengjie county and Qianjiang district.

Nowadays, 17 pneumoconiosis lung rehabilitation stations have begun to take shape and have an impact, officials said.

The treatment protocol established has been highly praised by the National Health Commission.

Officials said it plans to hold a national meeting in Chongqing in the second half of this year to promote the treatment protocol pioneered at the  pulmonary pneumoconiosis rehabilitation station.

This year, Chongqing will continue to promote the construction of pulmonary pneumoconiosis rehabilitation stations in villages, towns and sub-districts with more than 100 pneumoconiosis patients.

In villages with 10 permanent pneumoconiosis patients, pilot pneumoconiosis rehabilitation sites will be established relying on village clinics.

According to local officials, 2020 is the final year for the implementation of the "Chongqing Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Plan (2016-2020)".

In addition to continuing to promote the pilots of pneumoconiosis treatment stations, Chongqing will also promote the establishment of health enterprises, the special management of occupational disease in key industries and monitoring and evaluation of occupational health.