21 public hospitals in Taiwan offer extra clinics amid overcrowded ER

Taipei, March 6 (CNA) The 21 public hospitals run by the Ministry of Health and Welfare will from Thursday offer extra clinics for those suffering from flu-like symptoms or gastroenteritis to alleviate the pressure on crowded emergency rooms (ER), the ministry said in a statement.

The clinics will treat those with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhea and be open during outpatient hours, the ministry said.

It said that those who turn up at ERs with such symptoms may be referred to the clinics to help alleviate pressure.

Wang Yuh-wei (王裕煒), a deputy CEO at the Hospital and Social Welfare Organizations Administration Commission under the ministry, urged people to visit the clinics, where there will be dedicated doctors, instead of the ER.

The clinics have been introduced as a precautionary measure ahead of the four-day holiday for Tomb Sweeping Day and Children's Day at the beginning of April after ER overcrowding was reported around the Lunar New Year holiday.