Premier Jiang Yi-huah says that a new health and welfare minister will be announced within a month. Former health minister Chiu Wen-ta resigned recently to take responsibility for the tainted lard oil scandal that hit Taiwan in early September.
Premier Jiang was responding on Tuesday to an inquiry from a legislator about whether the Cabinet will be reshuffled after the November elections.
"The nomination process for the health and welfare minister will be very simple. We will make the decision as soon as possible. It has nothing to do with the November elections," said Jiang.
Jiang said the appointment will be made within a week to a month. He also said there are no plans for a Cabinet reshuffle after the current legislative session.