Hualien disaster prevention measures proposed to improve emergency medical response

On the anniversary of the 921 earthquake, discussions regarding disaster prevention and medical resilience in Hualien, Taiwan, have resurfaced. Wei Chia-hsien, a candidate for Hualien County Magistrate, has proposed three key measures to strengthen emergency response: increasing firefighting personnel, normalizing the use of drones for medical deliveries to remote areas, and securing government support for stationed emergency medical helicopters and night-landing capabilities in Yuli.

Wei noted that Hualien's emergency response time averages 9.02 minutes, significantly higher than the national average of 6.28 minutes, with over 25% of cases exceeding 10 minutes. He emphasized that the geographic layout of Hualien requires improved systems to ensure personnel, medicine, and patients can move effectively during disasters.

Reflecting on the one-year anniversary of the Mataian Creek dam-break disaster, medical professionals from Le Sheng Hospital shared their experiences providing relief in Hualien. Doctors and nurses from the facility worked in limited conditions to manage infectious diseases and chronic conditions among displaced residents, highlighting the ongoing need for robust medical infrastructure in disaster-prone regions.