TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) confirmed Thursday (June 15) that 28 children have negative results when testing for barbiturate phenobarbital, while one's testing result is still pending.
According to Lin Ching-feng, director of the Hospital and Social Welfare Organizations Administration Commission, the New Taipei City Government will handle the hair follicle drug tests for the children.
Lin said he "hope[s] the central and local governments can deal with the situation together." And "hopes the children can grow up healthily."
However, a parent posted on Facebook that their child's test results show traces of 29 nanograms of benzodiazepines.
Lin, responding to reporters, said that the first result showed 20 nanograms of benzodiazepines, which raised concerns. And the ministry did another test with results showing 29 nanograms. However, because "the cutoff level is 200 nanograms, it is still viewed as negative." Lin said.
The commission received 103 consultation calls in total. Seventeen of them are from the original kindergarten accused of feeding sedatives.
People are also speculating about the results of a child who tested 64 nanograms of phenobarbital in their body in April. However, whether that child is among the 29 children is still unknown.
Additionally, the source of the phenobarbital is in question.
