In response to concerns that people could lose their jobs by taking time off to care for family members injured by the explosion at the Formosa Fun Coast Water Park June 27, Premier Mao Chi-kuo today instructed the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration to find out how many civil servants and teachers face this situation, study the possibility of granting them paid leave, and announce the decision as soon as possible.
Capital Bus arranged paid leave for its employees whose family members suffered from the water park blast, the premier noted. He hopes employers in all lines of business will follow Capital Bus' example so that affected employees can look after their injured family members without having to worry about their jobs.
Mao gave these instructions while visiting burn patients, their family members and medical personnel at the Taipei Veterans General Hospital. He called upon the various sectors of society to demonstrate their utmost love and tolerance to help the families of the patients pass through this period of hardship.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has done well in planning and taking inventory of such medical equipment and materials as cadaveric skin, synthetic wound dressing and artificial skin, the premier pointed out. Although the government has been acquiring cadaveric skin from all over the world for burn treatments, synthetic wound dressing and artificial skin are also good substitutes. The MOHW is working closely on this matter with experts and hospitals that have accepted burn patients, conducting frequent professional discussions and arrangements.
As for patients' long-term rehabilitation, the government will set up a foundation that will incorporate social donations and follow-up care to help patients and their family members pass through this stage of recovery, Mao reiterated. There is no limit on the number of years the foundation may operate.
In response to patients' families' calls for a specialized agency to help patients undergo psychological rehabilitation, the premier pointed out that he hopes medical care will take priority in the first three to four months. After that the government will form a task force comprising the central government, local governments and volunteer groups to take up the tasks of psychological counseling and care within three to five months.
As for whether National Health Insurance subsidies will extend until September, the premier emphasized that as long as patients are being treated for burn injuries, their families need not worry. The so-called June or September deadline is a preliminary plan of the New Taipei City Government, and the central government will definitely fully support the local government. Currently the top priority is to stabilize patients' conditions and save lives. Their family members need not worry about medical expenses, Mao emphasized.
With regard to allowing Japanese doctors to visit Taiwan to help, MOHW Deputy Minister Lin Tzou-yien emphasized that the island's various teaching hospitals can apply to the ministry based on the teaching rules governing the hiring of foreign medical personnel. The MOHW will review the applications expediently. Under the oversight and supervision of the local physicians in charge, Japanese doctors may conduct some portions of medical treatment.