Cabinet Spokesperson Michelle Lee (李慧芝) reported Monday that Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) called on members of the Health Ministry to explain the hospital congestion situation. Confirmed attendees of the meeting included, but were not limited to, the vice premier, the Health and Welfare minister and vice minister, as well as the CDC deputy director.
Emergency centers in major hospitals across Taiwan have struggled with congestion since the Lunar New Year. Reports of hospital congestion include ICU traffic jams and even patients jockeyed between overcrowded hospitals unable to find available ICU beds.
In her report, Lee relayed Premier Cho’s thanks to the hardworking medical staff for their work over the Lunar New Year holidays, especially during what is proving to be an unusually difficult flu season. The number of confirmed flu cases and patients experiencing complications from diarrhea to severe illness are both several times higher than the past nine years. Cho thanked frontline medical staff for their efforts to protect the Taiwanese people.
Lee explained that the Health Ministry pledged to continue supporting hospitals through manpower and bed adjustments and referral diversion mechanisms. Additionally, it was reported that some institutions have utilized in-hospital dispatch systems to alleviate emergency congestion. Premier Cho asked that the ministry explain the government's response and preparations to the public. He also asked for the ministry’s assistance in the dissemination and implementation of experience and treatment plans from hospitals that have successfully dealt with their congestion issues to those struggling with it to efficiently address the current situation.