Taipei, May 16 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Friday the nation must be prepared for the worst-case scenario in fighting against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
Chen made the statement during an inspection tour of the Cabinet-level SARS Control and Relief Committee.
Noting that new SARS transmissions have occurred in Hong Kong and Singapore, Chen said the campaign against SARS would be a long battle. "We must be prepared for a long fight since the specter of SARS will not easily evaporate. The disease could overshadow East Asia for good," Chen cautioned.
After listening to briefings on the current domestic SARS situation, Chen led all committee members in observation of a moment of silence in memory of the frontline medical staff who have fallen victim to the pneumonia-like disease. Two local doctors and three nurses have died of SARS in recent days.
Chen said he was deeply sorry about the deaths.
As the campaign against SARS is the medical equivalent of war, Chen said the government is obliged to offer the best possible logistical support for all medical staff who are battling the potentially fatal disease under rigorous and stressful conditions. "The government must furnish them with sufficient protective gear, from garb to surgical masks, and all sorts of necessary medical equipment," Chen said.
In view of the tight supply of top-grade N95 masks among health care staff due to panic buying by ordinary citizens, Chen urged the committee to step up publicity campaigns to help the public understand that they need not use such high-quality masks and should leave them for frontline medical personnel.
Stressing that the SARS outbreak poses a severe test to the nation's health care and epidemic control system, Chen said any holes in the network could have grave consequences and negate all past efforts.
Chen said all relevant government agencies should carry out all SARS prevention and control programs in a no-nonsense and responsible manner. "With the SARS outbreak spiraling, we should race against the clock to ward off further cluster transmissions," Chen said.
He said the government must adopt tough measures to stem hoarding of surgical masks and crack down on irrational protests against establishment of special SARS hospitals.