Minister Chiang Been-huang of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) presided at the seventh meeting of the MOHW ad hoc group on the morning of July 5, 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, and to explore and discuss matters such as streamlining of the entry procedures for foreign medical personnel, import of cadaveric skin on an ad hoc basis, evaluation of the demand for medical personnel, as well as relevant coordination and deployment. 

1. The Medical Expert Advisory Group convened their second meeting this morning and reached the following understanding regarding the distribution of cadaveric skin during the meeting: In order to maximize the effects of cadaveric skin, the cadaveric skin will be distributed to each hospital based on the distribution of the patients' combined burned areas reported by the hospitals and the number of patients that are undergoing surgical debridement day by day. After the calculated sums and the slight adaptations are done (dynamically), cadaveric skin is allocated and dispatched to each hospital. 

2. The MOHW welcomes foreign medical personnel to Taiwan to exchange burn treatment techniques and provide assistance and advice in our medical institutions and with our medical staff. The major international norms will apply to the entry procedures for foreign medical personnel coming to Taiwan. The MOHW has adopted conventional international regulations and will actively contact various medical institutions once inventories for assistance are received. If assistance is required, we will endeavor to minimize registration procedures and facilitate the rapid completion of relevant administration tasks. 

3. With respect to the utilization of supporting personnel and related coordination and matchmaking, the Taiwan Medical Association has constructed a supportive personnel survey platform. The number of supportive personnel has reached 951 (58 physicians, 832 nursing personnel, and 61 other personnel such as respiratory therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and pharmacists) as of 12 a.m. on July 5. Hospitals submitted personnel requirements for 51 people today (2 physicians and 49 nursing personnel), and matchmaking services was offered through the Emergency Operations Centers of the MOHW. All of the hospitals may promptly look for suitable supporting personnel on this platform besides deploying and recruiting such personnel on their own. 

4. In regard to the import of cadaveric skin, the MOHW has received 127,880 square centimeters of cadaveric skin so far. The first batch (37,000 cm2 and 115 pieces) and the second batch (90,000 cm2) of cadaveric skin were checked and accepted on the morning of July 4 and the afternoon of July 4, respectively. The third batch of cadaveric skin from abroad (120,268 cm2) is expected to arrive in Taiwan on the evening of 7/5. The cadaveric skin purchased this time, totaling 247,000 cm2, will be distributed based on the needs of the injured and sent to the hospitals for use on the injured. The Food and Drug Administration will also continue to collect and purchase the cadaveric skin that meets the standards so as to ensure abundant supply. 

5. Statistics of hospitalization and treatment for the victims of the Formosa Fun Coast Dust Explosion: 
(1) As of 12 p.m. on July 5, 434 people continued to receive inpatient treatment at 48 hospitals, and two were deceased. Of the hospitalized victims, 282 were in the intensive care units, and 237 were in critical condition. They were treated at 48 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 was about 45%. 257 people sustained burns on over 40% of their body, and 24 of them sustained burns on over 80% of their body. 

The MOHW deeply appreciates the support from foreign medical teams. After the actual medical needs of the injured, applicable laws, and international aid norms are taken into consideration and the professional requirements are met, the MOHW will streamline the administrative process and provide full support for the hospitals that make requests. The MOHW would also like to urge the news media to avoid broadcasting images from the accident scene so as to mitigate the trauma and anxiety experienced by the family members of the injured, citizens, and medical personnel.