A Beijing-based newspaper has found ambulances and emergency units in the city are overstretched.

The misuse of emergency resources in Beijing often leaves those truly in need of help to fend for themselves. [Photo / Agencies]

The Beijing News reports most of the patients that request the service are indeed not in a critical condition, which leaves those truly in need of help to fend for themselves.

Only 20 percent of the people brought in by ambulances have life-threatening conditions, according to Chen Zhi, deputy director at the training center of Beijing's Emergency Center.

The other 80 percent are simply misusing the emergency resources meant for people whose lives are in danger. Ten percent of all patients in a critical condition cannot get help on time.

The majority of patients admitted to the emergency unit in Beijing's hospitals could also be served in the outpatient clinic, the report said.

To avoid the misallocation of emergency resources, Beijing's Health Planning Commission suggests patients undergo a triage before directed to relevant units for treatment.

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