In response to the needs for medical care and social welfare in the aftermath of the Formosa Fun Coast Dust Explosion, Minister Chiang Been-huang of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) presided at the tenth meeting of the MOHW ad hoc group on the morning of July 8, to continuously follow up the inventory of medical capacity, supply of medications and medical supplies, risk assessments for the injured, case-based care, and social welfare and relief services. Matters such as the psychological care for physicians and nurses as well as deployment and utilization of domestic medical personnel will also be explored and discussed. 

1. The greatest benefits of the injured should be the top priority when it comes to referring the injured to other hospitals for treatment. When a hospital is unable to offer comprehensive treatment due to limitations on personnel, equipment, and expertise, it should seek assistance in referring the injured through the Emergency Operations Center (EOCs) and Medical Expert Advisory Group, so as to provide the injured with a proper medical environment and avoid compromising other medical resources. According to the statistical data as of 12 p.m. today, 424 people had been receiving treatment at 49 hospitals in 13 cities and counties. Of them, 281 were in the intensive care units, 225 were reported to be in critical condition, and three have passed away. So far 1,119 personnel have been registered on the EOC (Emergency Operation Center) Support Staff Integration Platform (75 physicians, 979 nursing personnel, and 65 other personnel). Moreover, 959 beds are available in the intensive care units and 50 available in the burn intensive care units. 

2. A total of 700,038 cm2 of cadaveric skin were purchased from abroad in the first phase of procurement, and 245,598 cm2 have been received. 13 hospitals were included in the first distribution of cadaveric skin, and these deliveries have been completed. 22 hospitals were included in the second distribution (out of these hospitals, 12 were included in both distributions). The MOHW expects to purchase about 800,000 cm2 of cadaveric skin during the second phase. The procurement process is currently ongoing (sources that can supply about 900,000 cm2 of cadaver skin have been secured). 

3. Once again the MOHW would like to thank all of the medical personnel that participated in the treatment of the injured and to urge the medical personnel to pay attention to their physical and mental health, take breaks whenever possible, and release their stress properly. The MOHW would also like to ask all of the hospitals where the burn victims are treated to expand the existing psychological care systems for their staff, to request hospital psychiatric teams to proactively care for the medical personnel that help treat the burn victims, and to offer stress relief services. The MOHW seriously urges all hospitals to make sure to pay attention to the shift schedules of their medical personnel and pay for overtime. The payment and grants for their hard work will be announced after the Executive Yuan gives its approval. 

4. Statistics of hospitalization and treatment of the Formosa Fun Coast explosion victims: 
(1) As of 10:00 on July 8, 424 people continued to receive inpatient treatment at 49 hospitals. Of the hospitalized victims, 281 were in the intensive care units, 225 were in critical condition, and three have passed away. They were treated at 49 hospitals in 13 cities and counties, including: Keelung City, Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan City, Hsinchu City, Taichung City, Kaohsiung City, Tainan City, Changhua County, Chiayi County, Chiayi City, Hualien County, and Yilan County. 

(2) According to an analysis of the existing data, the average percentage of burned area for the victims of this incident was about 44%. 246 people sustained burns that covered o 40% of their body, and 22 of them sustained burns that covered over 80% of their body. 

The Information Section for the 0627 Formosa Fun Coast Dust Explosion was created on July 1st by the MOHW to provide up-to-date medical care and social welfare information about the Formosa Fun Coast Dust Explosion. The Ministry welcomes the public to conduct Internet inquiries to learn about related information on how the government is actively managing the aftermath of the incident. The section can be found at http://www.mohw.gov.tw/CHT/blast/