The health ministry says that it will conduct strict reviews on overseas patients who seek medical treatment in Taiwan. The ministry was responding to concerns of the Central Epidemic Command Center’s recent announcement that Taiwan will open its borders to individuals seeking medical aid starting August 1.
Legislator Chiang Wan-an of the opposition party Kuomintang (KMT) on Tuesday voiced concern calling for the move to be postponed. Chiang’s concern revolves around a Thai migrant worker who tested positive for COVID-19 upon his return to Thailand on Monday. Chiang said it would be a concern for Taiwan if it is found that the worker contracted the disease while in Taiwan. Chiang also called for clearer policy measures to protect frontline medical workers if Taiwan were to start receiving patients from overseas.
The health ministry said that Taiwan’s decision to accept certain patients from abroad is because those individuals have been treated in Taiwan before and were cut short of their treatment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ministry said it considered the move on grounds of humanitarian reasons. It said the patients will only be admitted after strict assessment is conducted.