Formosa Plastics chairman Wang Yung-ching (王永慶) has promised to contribute NT$200 million toward cross-border medical research into a vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), PFP Vice Chairman Chang Chao-hsiung (
Chang said that Wang made his offer during a meeting between the two on Tuesday.
"The research aims to develop a remedy for SARS using the antibody immunoglobulin as well as information taken from SARS patients' blood samples and will enlist help from Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and Singapore," said Chang at a public hearing on SARS held by PFP Legislator Lee Yung-ping (李永萍).
Immunoglobulin, which enhances the body's immune system, has been used by a number of medical facilities in this country to combat the SARS virus.
Chang said that Taiwan is unable to undertake medical research into the virus on its own because of the limited numbers of recovered patients in the country.
According to statistics from Department of Health, as of 5pm yesterday 25 SARS victims have recovered and been discharged from hospital since the start of the outbreak.
"The research project can be done if we combine blood samples from places including China, Singapore and Hong Kong," said Chang, a former pre-sident of the Chang Gung Me-morial Hospital, which was founded by Wang.
"By studying the blood samples from recovered SARS patients, we will try to develop a vaccine against SARS in the near future," Chang said.
Chang did not say when the research would start or how many medical personnel would be involved.
Chang also urged the public and the government to remain alert to SARS and be prepared to fight a long-term battle against the virus.
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