:::

Details of the sixth meeting of the MOHW ad hoc group in response to the Formosa Fun Coast Dust Explosion

  • Data Source:Ministry of Health and Welfare
  • Created:2015-07-04
  • Last Updated:2017-01-11

In response to the needs for medical care and social welfare in the aftermath of the Formosa Fun Coast incident, Minister Chiang Been-huang of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) presided at the sixth meeting of the MOHW ad hoc group on the afternoon of July 4, 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 the 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 first batch of cadaveric skin (37,000 cm2 and 115 pieces) was checked and accepted this morning, the second batch (90,000 cm2) arrived in Taiwan this afternoon, and the third batch from abroad (120,000 cm2) will arrive in Taiwan on 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 cadaveric skin that meets the standards so as to ensure an abundant supply. 

2. The Information Section on Stocks of Burn Medication and Medical Supplies has been created to compile a list of supplies donated by all sectors and upload the list to the donation deployment system. Hospitals may apply through the system for the needed items on the donation list. The MOHW will provide the items in the required quantity according to the current status of medical treatment of the injured at each hospital. 

3. With respect to the utilization of supporting personnel and related coordination and matchmaking, the Taiwan Medical Association has constructed a supporting personnel survey platform to continuously gather medical personnel who volunteer to offer support and to provide the EOC with the supporting personnel information on a daily basis (latest number of entries: 910, including 55 physicians, 795 nursing personnel, and 60 other medical personnel). The information about relevant human resources will also be sent to health departments and hospitals for their reference and utilization. 

4. Statistics of hospitalization and treatment for the victims of the Formosa Fun Coast Dust Explosion (as of 10:00 on 7/4): 430 people continued to be hospitalized (230 were in critical condition, and 274 were in the intensive care units), and two are reported dead. 

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 provide the hospitals that make requests with ad hoc assistance as soon as possible. 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. 

The MOHW recognizes and approves the plan of the New Taipei City Government to establish the 627 Burn Treatment Integration Center. It will also continue to discuss with the New Taipei City Government regarding the division of relevant tasks.