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Chen scheduled for
operation today to treat sleep apnea
By Lee Hsin-fang and Jason Pan / Staff reporter, with staff
writer
An operation has been scheduled for former president Chen Shui-bian (³¯¤ô«ó) today
at the Taichung Veterans General Hospital to treat a severe case of sleep apnea.
A statement released by Chen¡¦s office yesterday said breathing disruptions have
resulted in deprivation of oxygen to the brain and other health problems for the
former president.
In April, Chen ¡X who is serving a 20-year jail sentence for corruption ¡X was
transferred from Taipei Veterans General Hospital to Taichung Prison¡¦s Pei Teh
Hospital, where a special medical zone was set up for him.
The statement ¡X released after his transfer ¡X said that Chen¡¦s worsening health
and brain functions were not caused by his treatment in prison, but were due to
advancing illnesses as his health has deteriorated in ¡§step-wise progression.¡¨
The statement said Chen stutters when he speaks, his hands shake uncontrollably,
he walks unsteadily and has a loss of bladder control, which necessitates the
changing of his underwear more than a dozen times a day.
A group of doctors agreed that Chen can not be treated by one medication or one
operation because they were uncertain what problems Chen would face in the
future, the statement said.
Improving Chen¡¦s surroundings is the one most effective ways to alleviate his
worsening condition, the statement quoted the doctors as saying, adding that
Chen should receive treatment at home.
Chen¡¦s office said the authorities should grant the former president medical
parole so that he could receive treatment at home, as ¡§this is the way to
respect the assessment of professional medical practitioners and accommodate
public opinion. It would be in line with the protection of basic human rights,
diminish social conflict and conform to international protocols, while his
parole would benefit society.¡¨
According to the statement, Chen¡¦s condition has led to deprivation of oxygen
for some time, which could seriously harm vital functions of his brain and
heart.
It added that medical monitoring has indicated that Chen stops breathing up to
37 times per hour, and is only able to get one or two hours of sleep each night.
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