Premier Mao Chi-kuo today directed the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) to estimate the total medical expenses required to treat the victims of the flashover at Formosa Fun Coast, and to scrupulously probe and allocate follow-up funding sources and National Health Insurance (NHI) resources.
Mao also tasked the ministry to ascertain all injured victims and their locations as well as bed and doctor numbers, medical facilities and equipment, pharmaceuticals and doctors' workloads so that every patient can receive the best care possible.
The premier today visited the MOHW and was briefed on the victims' treatment as well as the ministry's handling of related affairs. He directed the MOHW to set up an ad hoc task force that must hold at least one press conference every day to elaborate the latest developments to the public. The task force is to incorporate medical association members.
Additionally, Mao tasked relevant ministries and agencies to compile information concerning the powder explosion and post it on the Executive Yuan's website for the public to peruse.
Mao expressed concern about setting up a database of the patients' information and whether there is ample supply of pharmaceuticals. The MOHW's Department of Medical Affairs stated that the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will transmit those data to the MOHW. Every three hours, the EOC renews the latest figures from every hospital nationwide that has accepted the injured, including the number of victims in its general wards and intensive care units. The department has also conducted videoconferences with regional health bureaus and the EOC to oversee the allocation of hospital beds and capabilities.
As for pharmaceutical supply, according to the Food and Drug Administration of the MOHW the current stock of medical material suffices for the next three days, and the quantity of medical supplies required for a 14-day period is available.
The National Health Insurance Administration of the MOHW said medical expenses involving treatment of the victims will not be counted as part of the medical insurance payment a medical care institution can receive under the NHI scheme. Moreover, any self-bearing medical fees of the victims for treatment between June 27 and 30 will be dealt with as a special case.
A doctors' representative present at the meeting said the accident was caused by fine particles of colored powder used for a public event. Fine particles stuck to skin will cause third-degree burns once the temperature reaches 70 degrees Celsius, and inhalation burns resulting from such particles can lead to consequences much more disastrous than what a fire could incur. As the first three days to one week are especially critical to the injured, never for a moment can intensive care cease, the representative said.
In addition to gratitude to the MOHW and relevant staffers for their efforts in this matter, Premier Mao expressed hope that all citizens can stand behind the victims and encourage them.