Former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) was hospitalized for dehydration yesterday after he went two days without food or water to protest his detention over graft charges.
TV footage showed police officers wheeling a pale-looking Chen with his eyes closed into Taipei County Hospital in Banciao (板橋).
“He is dehydrated and has been coughing. We recommend that he stay for examination and treatment,” deputy hospital director Yang Chang-bin (楊長彬) told reporters yesterday at noon.
The Taipei Detention Center — where Chen has been held since December on corruption and money-laundering charges — said in a statement that the former president was transferred to the hospital after he showed signs of dehydration yesterday morning. It said he had been refusing water and food for two days.
On Thursday, after appearing weak at a court hearing on whether his detention should be extended, Chen issued a statement saying that he would not appeal any verdict in the case and would immediately dismiss his attorneys and stop calling witnesses. He also said he would not eat or drink anything until May 17 to show his support for the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) rally on that day protesting the government’s China-leaning policies. Chen has so far been on two hunger strikes while in jail, but ended them after his wife and family pleaded with him to preserve his strength.
Yang said yesterday that Chen was conscious and had cooperated with medical staff.
They heard the sound of phlegm in Chen’s left lung and his heartbeat was 96 beats per minute, Yang said.
Chen received an intravenous injection after a blood test showed he had suffered minor dehydration, Yang said. The Taipei Detention Center had given Chen antibiotics to cure his coughing, but the illness had not gone away. Because Chen was also complaining about pressure in his chest, Yang said the hospital did an X-ray of his lungs as well as an electrocardiogram and heart ultrasound.
The hospital recommended that Chen be hospitalized for a further check-up of his heart. The Taipei Detention Center said it agreed to the hospital’s suggestion and would strengthen security at the hospital.
The center’s authorities said Chen had an electrocardiogram on April 28 and the result came back normal. Chen also had an X-ray on May 1 and it came back normal as well. Chen has also complained about the deterioration of his eyesight. The center’s authorities said an eye check-up showed that Chen had conjunctivitis and myopia.
Chen’s secretary, Chiang Chih-ming (江志銘), said that Chen’s wife, Wu Shu-jen (吳淑珍), tried to visit him yesterday, but the request was denied.
Taipei Detention Center Deputy Director Lee Ta-chu (李大竹) said no guests were allowed on Saturdays, so they could not allow Wu to visit Chen at the center or the hospital.
DPP Chairperson Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), who is currently visiting the US, expressed concern over Chen’s health, requesting the DPP caucus and headquarters assist in protecting Chen’s medical and judicial rights.
The DPP yesterday condemned Chen’s incarceration and demanded he be released immediately, saying holding the former president in jail was inappropriate, unnecessary and an violation of his human rights.
Former premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) said he respected the judicial investigation of Chen, but hoped to see due process of law and the protection of Chen’s human rights.
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