Public health crisis 結果共5筆

The Taiwan Federation of Medical Unions criticizes the rumored appointment of Chiu Tai-yuan as Health and Welfare Minister, citing his past refusal to engage with the union and opposition to disability rights amendments. They outline five qualities essential for the role, emphasizing the need for reform, communication, and respect within the healthcare sector to address workforce challenges and improve public health.

Premier Chen Chien-jen vows to expedite chili powder investigation in Taiwan amid food safety crisis due to banned Sudan Red coloring. Chen pledges all chili powder batches to be tested by end of March. Systemic issue addressed with rigorous inspections and improved control procedures for public health safety.

Lung cancer in Chiayi City is the leading cause of cancer deaths, accounting for nearly one-fifth of all cancer-related deaths in Taiwan. The recent death of Tsai Wen-hsu, a veteran councilor from the Democratic Progressive Party, has highlighted the importance of early cancer detection. Former Chiayi City mayor and minister of the Department of Health, Twu Shiing-jer, emphasized the need for preventive medicine and comprehensive screening. Statistics show that early-stage lung cancer has a significantly higher five-year survival rate. To address this issue, the Ministry of Health and Welfare launched an early lung cancer detection program, making Taiwan a leader in lung cancer screening. The program targets individuals with a family history of the disease and heavy smokers, offering low-dose CT scans every two years. However, while screening can detect lung cancer early, it cannot prevent the disease. Public health officials recommend smoking cessation services and rejecting smoking to mitigate the risk of lung cancer.

Professor May Oo Lwin from Nanyang Technological University spoke at the CTeC Asia event, warning against the dangerous rise in COVID-19 misinformation. Stressing the crucial role of media as a trustworthy information source, she called for public vigilance and cross-sector collaboration to counter disinformation.

Taiwan is grappling with a growing shortage of doctors in public health centers, affecting healthcare services nationwide. The situation has deteriorated since 2014, and the pandemic has exacerbated the issue, leading many doctors to consider quitting. Healthcare experts are urging comprehensive long-term planning to address the crisis.