Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) today expressed the government’s regret over the death of a volunteer from Taoyuan who succumbed to an infection after helping disaster relief efforts in Hualien County, reminding volunteers to protect themselves.
The volunteer, excavator company boss Lin Hung-sen (林鴻森), 48, sustained an injury that led to an infection and sepsis when helping disaster victims in Guangfu Township (光復), said Lin Yi-hua (林奕華), who handled Lin's funeral arrangements.
Along with his nephew, Lin hauled two Bobcat skid steer loaders to Guangfu after flooding left the small village covered with a heavy layer of mud and debris, Lin Yi-hua said.
Photo courtesy of Lin's family
While taking part in the cleanup, Lin sustained a cut on his left leg, but continued working, even as it became increasingly swollen, Lin Yi-hua said.
After eight days, he agreed to call an ambulance and was taken for treatment at Mennonite Christian Hospital in Hualien, Lin Yi-hua said.
At the hospital, Lin was diagnosed with an infected wound, but initially remained in stable condition.
However, on Saturday, he was transferred to Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, after which he lost consciousness, the funeral director said, citing what he had heard from Lin's family.
Over the weekend, Lin's condition deteriorated, leading to his death last night from multiple organ failure brought on by sepsis, the funeral director said.
Speaking to reporters before a Legislative Yuan session, Cho offered his highest condolences on behalf of the Executive Yuan and said the volunteer would be remembered as a hero.
The Executive Yuan extends its utmost respect and gratitude to Lin, and hopes that similar incidents would not happen again, he added.
Volunteers helping relief efforts in Hualien must protect themselves and register at a service station first to learn how to best help, Cho said.
In addition, medical service stations must enhance their services, and volunteers who experience the slightest physical discomfort must seek medical treatment as soon as possible, he added.
President William Lai (賴清德) told reporters he was "deeply saddened" to learn of Lin's death, and expressed his condolences to his family.
Central Emergency Operation Center chief coordinator Chi Lien-cheng (季連成) said a deputy health minister would pay a condolence visit to Lin's family later in the day and give them NT$200,000 in consolation money.
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) also plans to attend Lin's funeral to extend the government's condolences and gratitude, Chi said.
Cho also addressed calls from opposition parties that the central government propose a special act to respond to the disaster in Hualien.
The Cabinet’s position is to respond in the fastest and most efficient way possible, while calculating the funds necessary for disaster recovery, Cho said.
The quickest approach would be to supplement or amend the existing special act that supported rebuilding after Typhoon Danas and subsequent torrential rains, he said.
The Executive Yuan has never ruled out any specific approach, and would consider anything that the legislature believes is fastest and most effective, he added.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS