In response to the medical treatment, social welfare care and other relevant needs in the aftermath of the Formosa Fun Coast incident, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) ad hoc group is working continuously today (July 16th) so as to understand and deal with the medical treatment capacity, the supplies of cadaveric skin, artificial skin, medicines and medical materials, patient referrals, the deployment and utilization of domestic medical manpower, and other matters. 

1. Statistics of hospitalization and treatment for the victims of the Formosa Fun Coast Dust Explosion: As of 10:00 a.m. on July 16th, a total of 383 people continued to receive inpatient treatment in hospitals. Of the hospitalized victims, 251 people were in intensive care units, 186 people were in critical condition, and 6 people have passed away. They are being treated in 43 hospitals in 13 cities and counties. According to the analysis of existing data, the average percentage of burned body surface area for the victims in this incident is about 44%. There are 248 people with burns over 40% of the total body surface area (TBSA), and 21 of them have burns over 80% of the TBSA. At present, 1 person is being supported with extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and 7 people are receiving hemodialysis treatment. 

2. As of July 15th, the 1957 social welfare counseling hotline had received 996 calls, and the voluntary care service units had dispatched social workers 2,768 times to console 14,036 people. A total of 103 victims in this incident have been followed up, including 37 people who do not have immediate needs for welfare services, 27 people who do not require follow-up assistance, 3 people who require psychological counseling services and have been referred to the mental health centers, 3 people who have received psychological counseling services, and 30 people who did not leave their contact phone numbers (they have been sent some information and booklets about burn care from the Sunshine Social Welfare Foundation to their contact addresses, and have been provided with home visits by the local governments of their registered permanent residences for follow-up care). Additionally, the one-to-one psychological investigations of inpatients have been completed by their attending psychiatrists or psychological counselors. The discharged patients are continuously being investigated by the social workers in charge of their cases, and will be referred to the local health departments for psychological counseling services if they need this service. 

3. Cadaveric skin with a total area of 410,800 cm2 from abroad has been imported into Taiwan, including 370,500 cm2 that has been delivered to 28 hospitals, and 228,700 cm2 has been used. The utilization rate of cadaveric skin is 61.7%. Furthermore, 1 batch of cadaveric skin with a total area of 60,000 cm2 from the USA is estimated to arrive in Taiwan tonight (July 16th). The total area of supplies and available stocks for artificial skin and multi-layered wound dressings containing silver is 4,966,300 cm2. The stocks of burn ointments, albumin, medical dressings, gauze, cotton pads, bandages, and other medical materials required for burn treatment in hospitals and from suppliers can provide hospital utilization for more than 40 days. If the stocks are less than a 15-day supply, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will immediately request the suppliers to expand production more quickly, or start an ad hoc group to import medical materials to replenish the stocks. As for the donated medical resources and their delivery situation, a total of 258 batches of medicines and medical materials have been registered, and a total of 30 hospitals have applied for the delivery of these medical resources. After evaluation, a total of 219 batches of medical resources have been delivered to the hospitals with special needs. 

4. There are 1,005 beds available in intensive care units and 45 beds available in burn intensive care units. The Emergency Operation Center (EOC) has helped referral arrangements for 33 cases, including 26 cases that have been completed, and 7 cases that are continuously being tracked. In addition, the MOHW Medical Advisory Group has provided professional advice for a total of 91 people in 20 events, and has visited 52 patients in 7 hospitals. 

5. According to the statistical data as of 11 a.m. on July 16th, 1,152 personnel had registered on the EOC Support Staff Integration Platform, including 80 physicians, 1,005 nursing personnel, and 67 other personnel. Until yesterday (July 15th), a total of 28 physicians had been requested by 12 hospitals (11 physicians were successfully matched by the EOC Support Staff Integration Platform, and 19 physicians were matched by each hospital). At present, there are no requirements for physicians in the hospitals where the victims of this incident have been admitted (because some physicians can only offer part-time support, the EOC has actively provided extra support manpower for the hospitals). Among the nursing personnel registering on the platform, 17 people have nursing experience in burn care, and 82 people have nursing experience in critical care. Currently, the manpower arrangement of medical personnel in hospitals includes the following: 135 ex-serving or retired personnel have been recruited by each hospital, 19 support personnel have been successfully matched by the help of the EOC Support Staff Integration Platform, and 401 personnel have been arranged from hospital internal staff. The newly employed nursing personnel are gradually arriving in hospitals to join medical teams. 

6. For any relevant information about the supplies of medicines and medical materials, the hospitalization and treatment of victims, social welfare resources, fundraising, and other matters, please search the “Information Section for the 0627 Formosa Fun Coast Dust Explosion” at http://www.mohw.gov.tw/CHT/blast/ on the MOHW official website.