Department of Health Director-General Twu Shiing-jer (
"As the world is still uncertain about the pathogen of the malady, we thought it was too early to list it as a statutory communicable disease since there are certain legal procedures to follow," Twu said, adding that the pathogen and effective treatments for the disease have to be certain before making the declaration.
Twu, however, said that the health department should and will declare the malady a statutory communicable disease when it becomes necessary.
"Although the disease has not yet been listed as a statutory communicable disease, local governments shouldn't use this as an excuse to blame the central government for dillydallying in our handling of the matter, when in fact we've been tackling the matter with extra caution and alacrity," Twu said.
Twu made the remarks yesterday morning during the question-and-answer session in the legislature while responding to questions filed by DPP Legislator Su Chih-fen (蘇治芬), KMT legislator Lo Ming-tsai (羅明才) and KMT legislative leader Cheng Feng-shih (鄭逢時) over the government's handling of the global epidemic.
The director of the Taipei City Government's Bureau of Health, Chiu Shu-shih (
The move is seen as a challenge to the central government.
Twu, who admitted yesterday that SARS is a "serious communicable disease," said that the department notified medical institutions last Monday to report suspected cases to the health department, which will convey the information to a government task force composed of medical experts to evaluate the latest situation.
According to Twu, a total of 27 cases of SARS have been reported as of yesterday, including six probable cases and five suspected ones.
Responding to the Taipei City Government's call to list SARS as a statutory communicable disease, Twu yesterday said that he will invite Chiu to attend the meetings of the task force to keep abreast of the latest information on the disease.
"I know she's [Chiu] worried that the situation may get out of control. I'm sure she won't have any misgivings, misunderstandings or misjudgments if she obtains sufficient information about the disease," Twu said.
Premier Yu Shyi-kun said that the Cabinet will totally respect the professionalism of the health department and how it has been handling the matter.
"Since it's a relatively new disease, I can understand that many people have different opinions,Yu said.
"Since the health issue is not my metier, I totally respect the health department's handling of the matter," Yu said.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man
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