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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Health & Science

Woman Dies After 12-Day Wait for Hospital Bed in Taipei; Politician Claims Indifference

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A Taipei hospital patient died after waiting 12 days for a bed, prompting criticism of the healthcare system.
  • The deceased's family sought help from a KMT politician, who claims he was met with indifference at the hospital.
  • The incident has sparked online debate, with critics pointing to past instances of preferential treatment for political figures.

An 85-year-old woman died from severe pneumonia after a 12-day wait for a hospital bed at National Taiwan University Hospital in Taipei, sparking outrage and renewed debate over hospital overcrowding and access to care. The family of the deceased, who was a friend of KMT Taipei City Councilor Chung Hsiu-ping, sought his assistance in securing a bed.

Chung stated that he contacted the Ministry of Health and Welfare and suggested transferring the patient, but the family wished for her to remain at the top hospital. He personally went to the hospital director's office to plead for a bed but reported being met with a "cold expression" by a secretary. The woman eventually died from multiple organ failure. Chung criticized the hospital for not apologizing or proactively informing the family, and the family has applied for an investigation into potential medical malpractice and bed allocation issues.

Actually, the family should have asked the KMT to arrange the bed. If the KMT wants it, they can arrange it.

— Lin Chih-chiangA lawyer commenting on the incident, sarcastically referencing past cases of political influence in securing hospital beds.

The incident has drawn sharp criticism online, with lawyer Lin Chih-chiang and netizens recalling past cases where political figures allegedly received preferential treatment. They cited instances such as KMT legislator Chen Yu-chen being admitted to an emergency intensive care bed at the same hospital for a finger injury in 2019, and four individuals securing hospital beds after a hunger strike. These comparisons fueled accusations that political connections can expedite access to critical care, contrasting with the prolonged wait experienced by the deceased woman.

Netizens sarcastically suggested that the family should have sought help from the KMT to arrange the bed, referencing specific politicians known for constituent services. The commentary highlights a perceived disparity in healthcare access, where political influence may play a role in securing timely medical attention, further intensifying public frustration with the healthcare system's perceived shortcomings.

He personally went to the hospital director's office to plead for a bed but reported being met with a 'cold expression' by a secretary.

— Chung Hsiu-pingDescribing his experience seeking a hospital bed for his friend's mother.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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