President Chen Does Volunteer Work at St. Mary's Hospital
Ilan, Taiwan, May 20 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian marked his second anniversary in office Monday by doing volunteer work at St. Mary's Hospital in the northeastern Taiwan county of Ilan.
Chen gave a bedridden cancer patient a rubdown with a wet towel, fed an old woman congee, took a wheelchair-bound patient to a therapy session and assisted a disabled child in a rehabilitation workout at the hospital, which was founded by the Italian Catholic group--the Order of the Ministers of the Sick, also known as the Camillians. "I'm very happy I can serve you," Chen said when he rubbed the hands and feet of Hsu Chao-chi, a cancer patient in his 90s.
At the end of his voluntary work at the hospital, Chen also donated NT$1 million (US$28,571) in his own name to help finance the hospital's new medical facilities.
St. Mary's Hospital is one of the four domestic medical and charitable organizations that will each receive NT$1 million in donations from royalties of a photo book published by Chen last week to mark his second year in office. The 150-page album, titled "President A-Bian: Up Close and Personal," contains 210 black and white images featuring Chen going about his daily chores over the past two years.
Chen said although he has not yet received any royalties from the publishing house, he is delighted to donate the money in advance to help the hospital realize its goal of building a new facility for seriously ill patients and a center for mentally challenged children.
Two years ago, Chen recalled, he made a visit to the hospital. "At that time, I told missionary-doctor Renato Marinello that I would one day do volunteer work at the hospital. I'm pleased to deliver on my promise today," he said.
Noting that St. Mary's Hospital has contributed much to offering health care and medical services to residents in the northeastern and eastern parts of the island over the past five decades, Chen said he hopes more local citizens could learn from Camillians clergymen in serving the people.
Chen also urged local residents to donate money to help finance the hospital's new construction projects to mark its 50th founding anniversary and to serve more patients.
In return, Marinello, a winner of the Republic of China government-sponsored Medical Awards, presented the hospital's lifelong volunteer certificate to President Chen.