Taipei hospital unveils emergency response kits

台北醫院推出緊急防災包

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei Veterans General Hospital unveiled its emergency response kits in preparation for emergencies and disasters, as part of an initiative to strengthen Taiwan’s healthcare resilience, CNA reported.

At a Sunday seminar, Hospital Director Chen Wei-ming (陳威明) said the kits include items such as batteries, water pouches, thermal blankets, and hand-crank radios. The kits also align with the government’s ongoing distribution of “In Case of Crisis: Taiwan's National Public Safety Guide,” which helps the public prepare for natural disasters, epidemics, and potential military threats from China.

Chen noted that hospitals were critical in saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic and major accidents. However, he warned that increasingly complex emergencies could affect hospitals’ response capacity.

Chen urged medical institutions to coordinate on preparedness and encouraged businesses to purchase and donate emergency kits. He added that the hospital has prepared emergency measures to ensure stable electricity, water, and supplies, including food, blood, and medicines.

President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) also attended the event, noting the government plans to invest NT$24 billion (US$770 million) in a four-year program starting next year to strengthen the supply chain for medicines. The program will cover production, storage management, and smart regulation to ensure the nation’s medical resilience and safe access to medicines.

Lai said the Cabinet submitted next year’s NT$3.35 trillion budget to the Legislative Yuan in August. However, disagreements between the ruling and opposition parties over certain allocations — including defense procurement, AI development, and flood control — have delayed the review. He urged KMT and TPP lawmakers to finish reviewing the budget before the end of this year for the sake of the country.

Lai praised the health ministry’s efforts in raising this year’s National Health Insurance budget to NT$928.6 billion, a 5.5% increase from last year. He said the government will also allocate part of next year’s budget to allow public hospitals to increase staff salaries.