By Chris Wang / Staff reporter
Former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) had a slight fever which could be related to an infection, his son, Chen Chih-chung (陳致中), said yesterday.
Chen Chih-chung broke the news in a Facebook post, saying the cause behind his father’s illness has yet to be determined, but it could be related to a urinary tract infection.
Meanwhile, former Northern Taiwan Society director Janice Chen (陳昭姿) blasted the Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH), where Chen is staying for treatment, for not disclosing medical information to a group of physicians who are also the former president’s supporters.
Chen Shiu-bian is serving a 17-and-a-half-year sentence for corruption in Taipei Prison, but he was allowed an extended stay in a hospital after his health deteriorated.
A previous examination found that he may have suffered a minor stroke in prison.
His family and supporters have been locked in a debate with the Ministry of Justice, Taipei Prison and several hospitals over their handling of his medical treatment, accusing them of having a political and ideological agenda behind the measures taken.
The Foundation of Medical Professionals Alliance in Taiwan voiced support for Chen Shui-bian’s medical rights at a press conference yesterday.
The foundation said the ministry’s decision to send him to TVGH was made out of political consideration rather than a professional medical decision and questioned the hospital’s examination methods.
It said the hospital should hold a daily press conference to disclose his condition and allow a group of physicians who were close to Chen Shui-bian join the medical task force to make a final assessment of his health.
Meanwhile, about 100 supporters from southern Taiwan gathered in front of the hospital yesterday and expressed support for the former president, saying he should have the freedom to choose whichever hospital he wished to be treated.