Former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) is suffering from various ailments, and it would not be good for him to return to prison, his attending physician told lawmakers yesterday.
Chou Yuan-hua (周元華), a psychiatrist in charge of Chen’s care at Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH), added that it would be better for the former president to be looked after at home or to stay in a hospital that has a psychiatry department near his home.
When Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) asked if there was a possibility that Chen might commit suicide if he were sent back to Taipei Prison, Chou said: “There is definitely a possibility.”
Photo: Chen Chih-chu, Taipei Times
Chou was giving a report on the former president’s current condition at a meeting of the legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee.
After nasal septum deviation surgery recently, Chou said Chen’s sleep apnea has improved, but there was a high risk of a relapse.
Chou added that Chen’s speech impediment had not visibly improved over the past half year. Two brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams found that he has cerebral atrophy and hand tremors, and doctors are still monitoring these conditions.
While there seem to be signs that Chen is recovering from severe depression, he still suffers from anxiety and insomnia, Chou added.
“I know that Taipei Prison has tried to improve Chen’s environment in the prison, but the treatment of severe depression should factor in the atmosphere and the patient’s mental state. I believe it would not be good for Chen to go back to prison now,” Chou said.
TVGH superintendent Lin Fang-yue (林芳郁) told the meeting that TVGH is a hospital for the treatment of severe and emergency conditions. While Chen’s immediate symptoms have been treated, depression is a chronic disease that requires lengthy treatment in a psychiatric ward.
Despite the doctors’ report, Deputy Minister of Justice Chen Ming-tang (陳明堂) reiterated that Chen’s current medical treatment is sufficient to care for his long-term health, and his condition does not qualify him for medical parole.
DPP Legislator Chen Ting-fei (陳亭妃) said it was very clear that the medical report says Chen should be cared for at home and that he should not go back to the prison, but the ministry does not seem to comprehend the report.
Chen Ming-tang said the ministry would evaluate TVGH’s report and make a decision in three weeks.
The former president is serving a 20-year sentence for corruption.
The Chinese military has built landing bridge ships designed to expand its amphibious options for a potential assault on Taiwan, but their combat effectiveness is limited due to their high vulnerability, a defense expert said in an analysis published on Monday. Shen Ming-shih (沈明室), a research fellow at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, said that the deployment of such vessels as part of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s East Sea Fleet signals a strong focus on Taiwan. However, the ships are highly vulnerable to precision strikes, which means they could be destroyed before they achieve their intended
The Taiwan Experience Education Program (TEEP) has funded short-term internships in Taiwan for more than 4,500 young people from more than 40 countries since 2015, with the goal of attracting and retaining international talent, the Ministry of Education said yesterday. Fifty-five colleges launched 514 projects this year, including in fields such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, medicine and biotechnology, green energy, and sustainability, it said. The program provides research and practical internships in Taiwan for two to six months, and offers cultural exchange and networking opportunities, the ministry said. For example, National Formosa University’s Embedded System and Autopilot Laboratory developed two solar-powered drones in
GLOBAL: Although Matsu has limited capacity for large numbers of domestic tourists, it would be a great high-end destination for international travelers, an official said Lienchiang County’s (Matsu) unique landscape and Cold War history give it great potential to be marketed as a destination for international travelers, Tourism Administration Director General Chen Yu-hsiu (陳玉秀) said at the weekend. Tourism officials traveled to the outlying island for the Matsu Biennial, an art festival that started on Friday to celebrate Matsu’s culture, history and landscape. Travelers to Matsu, which lies about 190km northwest of Taipei, must fly or take the state-run New Taima passenger ship. However, flights are often canceled during fog season from April to June. Chen spoke about her vision to promote Matsu as a tourist attraction in
Taipei resident Mu Chu-hua caught some glimpses of China’s mighty military parade on YouTube on Wednesday. As she watched hypersonic missiles roll down Beijing’s Changan Avenue and troops march in lockstep, she did not feel like they posed a threat to Taiwan. Mu, a 69-year-old retiree, said she saw the parade as simply a way for Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) to “say thank you to the troops.” “I thought it was quite normal,” she said. “It was very cool.” China’s military parade commemorating the end of World War II was being watched internationally for insights into Beijing’s military advances and its show
RSS