The steady stream of illegal Chinese immigrants could pose a threat to Taiwan's disease-control system, a local official said yesterday.
Lai Hsieh-yi (賴械壹), director of the detention center for illegal Chinese immigrants in Hsinchu in northern Taiwan, said medical care for illegal immigrants from China has become a financial burden.
According to Lai, the Hsinchu center specializes in holding female illegal immigrants from China. Before last week, when 129 of the detainees were sent to the frontline island Matsu for repatriation, the center held 835 detainees.
"The vacancies have all been filled over the past few days," Lai said, adding that many of the newcomers are sick or suffering from emotional problems. Some of them had even tried to kill themselves while being detained at police offices in various parts of the island, he added.
Noting that repatriation has been hindered by China's reluctance to cooperate, Lai said that 115 detainees have been held at the center for more than six months and that 15 have been held for more than a year.
Among the detainees, 52 are venereal-disease patients, 32 are pregnant and 14 have recently given birth. The center now houses 15 babies, including a pair of twin boys.
Worse still, Lai said, two of the detainees are HIV-positive.
"The center doesn't have a medical service office. We have to rely on the government-owned Hsinchu Hospital to offer outpatient clinical services for the illegal immigrants," Lai said.
"The hospital sends staff members to the center twice a week. Medical care is a heavy financial burden," he said.
As all medical services for detainees are free of charge, Lai said some people from China have allegedly entered Taiwan mainly for medical reasons.
According to Lai, some illegal immigrants from China surrendered themselves to local police stations immediately after landing on the island.
In 2001, he said, the center spent more than NT$1 million on medical treatment for its detainees.
"The amount surged to NT$2.04 million last year and the total medical bill for the first seven months of this year hit NT$1.5 million," he said.
Government tallies show that a total of 2,286 illegal immigrants from China, including 380 males and 1,904 females, are currently being held at various detention centers around Taiwan.
Lai said he is worried that more illegal Chinese immigrants remain at large in Taiwan.
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