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Chen suffering
delusions, sleep apnea, doctor says
By Rich Chang and Chris Wang / Staff reporters
Former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) suffers from sleep apnea — a disorder in
which breathing completely stops or is intermittent for periods of about 10 to
30 seconds — and paranoid delusions of being persecuted, Taipei Veterans General
Hospital (TVGH) Superintendent Lin Fang-yue (林芳郁) said yesterday.
The imprisoned former president, who is serving a 17-and-a-half-year sentence
for corruption, has been in the hospital since Sept. 21 for further examination.
The TVGH is a subordinate of the Veterans Affairs Committee. Lin was requested
by lawmakers to present a report at a legislative Foreign and National Defense
Committee meeting yesterday.
In response to a question by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chiu
Yi-ying (邱議瑩) on whether Chen is suffering from sleep apnea and delusions of
being persecuted, Lin said: “He has both.”
Lin added that the former president has recovered from a urinary tract infection
and a slight fever.
“Do you know his current weight?” Chiu asked.
In response, Lin said Chen has lost 10 kilograms since being in prison, adding
that the hospital hoped that better food provided by Chen’s family would improve
his weight.
“As a medical expert, do you think Chen should be granted medical parole?” Chiu
asked, to which Lin responded that medical parole could not be decided by
doctors.
Lin added that a complete assessment of Chen’s health would be released in seven
to 10 days.
The TVGH medical team will today also conduct a special report on Chen’s
condition, at the invitation of the legislative Judiciary and Organic Laws and
Statutes Committee, DPP spokesperson Lin Chun-hsien (林俊憲) said.
“All we know is that Chen’s health is deteriorating. It’s unfortunate that the
hospital has failed to provide a clear report on the former president’s health
despite it being an issue of public concern that has provoked much speculation,”
Lin said.
Lin said the DPP is still calling for Chen to get medical parole.
Chen’s family have complained about not being updated on the former president’s
health.
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