Taiwan medical group to offer free services in Hualien’s Guangfu

台灣醫療團赴花蓮光復鄉義診

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwan Medical Association will deploy internists, dentists, pharmacists, and nurses to provide short-term on-site or mobile free clinics in Hualien’s Guangfu Township until local medical facilities resume operations.

Heavy rain from Typhoon Ragasa caused the county’s Mataian barrier lake to overflow on Sept. 23, triggering severe floods and mudslides in Guangfu. As of 9 a.m. Tuesday, authorities reported 18 deaths, 121 injuries, and six people missing.

Medical care in the township is currently provided through temporary stations set up by four Hualien hospitals. Chen said the free clinics will primarily focus on treating minor injuries that residents and volunteers got during cleanup efforts, per CNA.

Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital’s medical team treated more than 500 people with injuries in Guangfu from Wednesday to Sunday, noting that mud and debris may contain sharp objects. The hospital said there is an urgent need for tetanus shots, which help prevent infections from wounds. However, the vaccine must be stored at temperatures between 2 C and 8 C, making preservation challenging.

Chen Hsiang-kuo (陳相國), chair of the association, led members of the group to visit disaster-affected residents on Sunday. The group donated NT$1 million (US$31,000) along with basic medical supplies and equipment to local healthcare institutions.

The township, which does not have a hospital, is typically served by three family clinics and one public health center. All four facilities were put out of service by the severe flooding and mudslides. Chen said some facilities lost all of their computers, equipment, and medical supplies, adding that the cost of recovery could be significant.

According to the government’s disaster response center, the health ministry and Hualien’s health bureau will begin joint efforts on Wednesday to offer flu vaccinations to local residents, volunteers, and military personnel involved in rescue operations.