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.
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