GUANGZHOU, May 5 -- A retired doctor in south China's Guangdong Province was stabbed in a knife attack by a former patient on Thursday afternoon.

Police authorities in Yuexiu District of the provincial capital Guangzhou said they first received the report of the attack at the home of Chen Zhongwei, former director of the stomatology department of the Guangdong General Hospital at 5:20 p.m..

The doctor, who suffered life-threatening injuries, was then immediately rushed to the hospital. Dozens of medical experts were being involved in the emergency treatment.

After the stabbing, the male attacker jumped from the balcony of Chen's home and fell to death, the initial police investigation showed.

Police are further investigating the identity of the attacker and his motive.

The hospital confirmed that the man received medical treatment from Chen 25 years ago and had a history of mental disorder.

The hospital strongly denounced the violent attack against medical staff and was assisting the police investigation, a hospital official said.