Screenings urged on World Tuberculosis Day

Screenings urged on World Tuberculosis Day

2023-03-24

It’s World Tuberculosis Day, and Taiwan is celebrating a 62% reduction in new TB cases. But doctors warn that the disease can lurk undetected from three months up to 50 years. People with latent TB don’t usually feel sick, but they could develop active TB whenever their immune systems become weak. Authorities encourage everyone to get screened for early detection and treatment.

The Taiwan CDC held a press conference to mark World Tuberculosis Day. Years of effort have lowered the TB incidence rate from 73 cases per 100,000 people in 2005 to 28 cases in 2022, a drop of 60%. But the figure doesn’t factor in latent TB infections.

Wang Jann-yuan
Tuberculosis specialist
According to the literature, the dormant phase can be anywhere from three months to 30 or 50 years. Most of the TB bacteria entering the body can be curbed by our immune system. You won’t develop the disease immediately. But there is a 10% or even higher chance that you will develop active TB later.

Chou Jih-haw
Deputy health minister
During the latent stage of TB, it can’t be spread to others. That’s the best time for intervention. So when we’re offering screenings for latent TB, we ask the public to come forward and get screened and accept treatment for latent TB.

People with latent infections show no symptoms and are not contagious. But at times when their immune systems are weak, the infection could turn active. Officials are urging screenings for early detection and treatment.

Chuang Jen-hsiang
Health minister
As for whether the pandemic brought down the number of screenings, generally speaking there hasn’t been a significant change. Over the last three years, screenings and treatment for latent TB have been ongoing.

The Taiwan CDC says to seek medical attention for warning signs of TB, which include a cough lasting more than two weeks, a fever, phlegm, chest pain, and weight loss.

台灣結核病新案減少62% 仍有潛伏感染籲篩檢

2023-03-24

今天是世界結核病日，雖然台灣在多年努力下，結核病新案發生率，已經下降62%，不過，專家表示，結核病的潛伏期長達3個月到30、50年，當身體免疫力夠時，就不會發病，也就是所謂的潛伏結核感染，呼籲民眾要進行篩檢，才能早期發現早期治療。

響應世界結核病日，疾管署召開記者會，雖然在多年努力下，台灣新案發生率，已經從2005年的每十萬人73例，下降到2022年的28例，降幅達到六成，不過，還是有部分民眾，是尚未發病的潛伏結核感染。

[[台灣結核暨肺部疾病醫學會理事長王振源]]
“(潛伏)看文獻從3個月到30年、50年都有可能，大部分結核菌進到身體裡面，我們免疫力應該可以控制下來，不會立刻發病這時候細菌也沒有死掉，只是未來有10%甚至更高機會，會變成活動性結核病。”

[[衛福部次長周志浩]]
“潛伏結核的時候這時候應該還不會傳染給別人，這時候是我們出手最好時候，所以我們要篩檢潛伏結核的時候，還是要請民眾出來篩，配合潛伏結核的治療。”

潛伏結核感染，沒有症狀，也不會傳染，但萬一免疫力下降，就可能發展為結核病，呼籲民眾要進行篩檢，才能及早發現、及早治療。

[[疾管署長莊人祥]]
“觀察會不會疫情期間篩檢數有沒有下降，大致上沒有太大變化，所以再加上三年期間事實上做潛伏結核感染篩檢，跟治療都持續在進行。”

疾管署提醒，民眾如果咳嗽超過兩週，發燒、有痰、胸痛，或是體重減輕，最好主動就醫。

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A U.S. House committee zeroed in on Taiwan on Thursday at a budget meeting for the 2024 fiscal year. Michael McCaul, chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, raises concerns about Chinese interference in Taiwan’s presidential election. He warned that China would ramp up aggression if it didn’t get its desired election outcome. McCaul said Taiwan was not prepared for conflict, and that the U.S. should help Taiwan bolster its defenses in a bid to prevent war. ##

Michael McCaul
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So people ask, “Why is Taiwan important?” Imagine if China invaded Taiwan tomorrow and controlled 90% of the global supply.

At a budget hearing for the fiscal year 2024, the chair of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs underscored China’s threat to Taiwan.

Michael McCaul
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I personally think that Chairman Xi is going to try to influence the elections. If he fails then I think Plan B will be a blockade and an invasion that will be on a scale that will make Ukraine look like a very small thing.

He added that Taiwan was not ready for conflict.

Michael McCaul
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Taiwan is not prepared. We have no joint military exercises. The weapons I signed off on three years ago have yet to go into the country. We need to arm them and prepare them, to provide deterrence, along with AUKUS and the Quad to deter the Chinese form an invasion.

The U.S. budget for 2023 authorized up to US$2 billion in arms to Taiwan. No such clause was included in this year’s proposal. The omission raised objections from House Committee on Foreign Affairs vice chair Ann Wagner, who questioned the priorities of the Biden administration.

Antony Blinken
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Taiwan is a priority and, as you know, we have many different ways of doing this. At the same time, in the case of Taiwan, the most effective way to date, to make sure that they have what they need to defend themselves has been through the foreign military sales program. They increased their defense budget by 11%.

Speaking at a separate House committee hearing, defense secretary Lloyd Austin said the U.S. must be prepared for a potential conflict with China.

Lloyd Austin
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This is a strategy-driven budget and one driven by the seriousness of our strategic competition with the People’s Republic of China.

Mark Milley
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Preparation for war, deterring war, is extraordinarily expensive. But it’s not as expensive as fighting a war. And this budget prevents war and prepares us to fight it if necessary.

The Pentagon is requesting US$9.1 billion in support of the Pacific Deterrence Initiative, a sharp increase from last year’s US$6.1 billion. Officials say the budget will help keep China in check and preserve peace across the strait.

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Burns survivor Lee Hui-chu recovers her strength and builds new life as fitness coach

In 2015, Taiwan was horrified by a fire caused by combustible dust particles at a water park in New Taipei. It ended with 17 deaths, with many others left with severe burns. Today we meet one of the survivors, Lee Hui-chu, who has gone on to become a fitness coach. Despite living with the impact of burns on 42% of her skin, she’s competing in weight-lifting contests and running half marathons. We spoke to Lee to find out how she is rewriting the definition of health.

Lee Hui-chu lifts a barbell over her head in one clean swing.

She gently adjusts her position, watching herself in the mirror, and even using her rest breaks to train.

The determined, cheerful 29-year-old is full of life. It’s hard to imagine that she was one of the survivors of the 2015 New Taipei water park fire, which left her with burns on 42% of her skin. Seven years later, the scars are still very obvious across her arms and legs.

Lee Hui-chu
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I’ve had experiences where people have shouted at me across the street, “Hey, girl, what’s up with that? How did you get like that?” The scars will be on me for the rest of my life. I’m always practicing that.

After the fire, Lee picked up exercise again. Her skin is fragile and less flexible after recovering from the burns. But, undaunted, she trains hard and is learning how to live happily with her scars. She’s been in weight training for more than a year now, and can deadlift 105 kilograms.

Lee Hui-chu
Burns survivor
In the past, I couldn’t run up three flights of stairs. I think working out has been a very engaging thing for me, right from when I first got out of hospital, up until the moment when I realized that I’m in slightly better shape.

Last year Lee competed in the Taiwan Strongman competition, coming in at fourth place, as well as taking part in a Spartan Race and a half marathon. She’s determined to keep getting stronger so her legs can take her where she wants to go.

Lee Hui-chu
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Some people say women should be skinny, that’s the only way to be beautiful. But health often doesn’t look like we think it should. I think what I’m constantly searching for is, “What is true health?”

Now Lee works as a full-time fitness coach. Her scars are proof of her immense courage and determination. She rebuilt her own agency after a horrific trauma and now she’s helping others find their own strength too.

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Controversy shrouds plan for bridge over Taipei’s Civic Boulevard

The Taipei Metro has announced plans to build a pedestrian bridge over Civic Boulevard near Taipei Main Station, to make the area more walkable. The proposal has gotten mixed reactions. Some pedestrians say a walkway would save them time and hassle. But critics raise concerns about the impact on motorists and local businesses.

Even after rush hour, Civic Boulevard near Taipei Main Station is still busy with traffic. Along the thoroughfare, signs warn of fines for jaywalking. To cross the street, pedestrians have two options: taking an underpass connecting to the Zhongshan Metro Mall, or walking 200 meters to the nearest zebra crossing.

Member of public
The metro mall and MRT corridors are all connected, so you can lose your way quite easily.

Member of public
I have tried walking around, but it’s a hassle. It takes an extra 5 to 10 minutes.

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I hadn’t come for some time, so I didn’t quite know how to get around. If you take the wrong exit you have to go back in. It’s annoying.

According to Taipei Metro, out-of-towners often get lost in the underground mall, and must spend a long time deciphering maps or turning to their phones for guidance. After years of deliberation, the transport company decided to build a raised walkway connecting Taipei Bus Station with Kuo-Kuang Motor Transport’s bus terminal. With a price tag of NT$400 million, the project aims to save pedestrians a headache.

Voice of Hsu Chin-chih
Taiwan Institute of Landscape Architects
It would have to be at least 4.6 meters tall, so that vehicles can pass through below. It has to be high, but we can’t move the overpass above it, so that gives very little clearance to pedestrians on the walkway. It’d be quite uncomfortable. If you are driving at ground level on Civic Boulevard, the bridge would form a divider that cuts the skyline in half.

Although some applaud the initiative, experts say it would obstruct views for motorists, and run counter to current trends in urban design. Meanwhile, a city council member questions the need for a raised walkway.

Chen Yi-chun
DPP Taipei councilor
This would be putting the cart before the horse. They would be doing it without consulting anyone. If they build the walkway, then nobody would pass by the shops in the metro mall, which would deliver a blow to their business. Also, nowadays, many cities are taking down their pedestrian bridges. Why is building a bridge the solution to lost tourists?

Voice of Ling Chi-yao
Taipei Metro customer service center
Tourists don’t know how to navigate the underground passages. They often have to come up to ground level to find their way around. The sky bridge would benefit tourists who come.

The metro company said the bridge was part of the Western District Gateway Project and was still under review by the urban planning committee, which will accept feedback from all stakeholders.

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Kaohsiung fashion Awards celebrate a renaissance of style in Southern Taiwan

Taiwan’s fashion industry is thriving. But while most of the country’s fashion experts are based in Taipei, there’s a growing fashion hub down in the south. The Kaohsiung Fashion Awards are the highlight of the fashion calendar in southern Taiwan. Last year the awards opened up to international students, creating a burst of new energy for the fashion scene. We went to the port city to meet some of the designers who are contributing to this sartorial renaissance.

Models and celebrities take to the catwalk at Kaohsiung Fashion Awards, setting the standard for fashion in the south.

Kaohsiung has invested heavily in the fashion industry, hoping to tempt rising stars to build their careers in the city.

Fashion designer Sun Yi-chih focuses intently as he cuts a piece of fabric, before taking it to the sewing machine.

He’s been working in Kaohsiung ever since he graduated, and his formalwear creations are all one-of-a-kind.

Sun Yi-chih
I’ve worked with TV presenters and performers, for example, the FTV presenter Crystal Liu. This year we worked with her for the Alishan Sunrise Impression Concert, and produced her clothing. The performers we’ve worked with include Janet and Patty Lee. We’ve collaborated on their outfits when they hosted events and made publicity appearances.

Meanwhile, Wang Jui-ting is another Kaohsiung designer. After growing up in Kaohsiung, he studied occupational therapy at university, before returning to his hometown to take up the family uniform business, and its three decades of history. His designs incorporate thoughtful elements from many other walks of life.

Wang Jui-ting
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My mother might feel that functional fabrics, such as antibacterial fabrics, are unnecessary. But what we discussed was first trying to use them in clothes that will come in direct contact with food, such as uniforms for restaurant staff, and in the end we came to an agreement.

Wang and his mother have clashed over design theory, but their collaboration has sweet results. They’ve also witnessed the transformation in Kaohsiung’s design industry in recent years.

Wang Jui-ting
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Taiwan’s craftspeople are renowned worldwide. Now, an up-and-coming carpenter has made his first big splash in the world of woodworking. Chen Shih-kai won gold for professional woodworking in the World Skills Competition 2022. The prestigious event is a major gathering of elite craftspeople from all round the world. Chen created an elaborate window frame to clinch his medal, working flat-out over four days.

Chen saws a plank of wood up, only to reassemble it. He uses various textures and colors of wood to create many different types of products.

Woodworking by hand majors on the texture of the finished product, which is very different to machine work, and requires consummate skill. Chen has been honing the craft for years.

Chen Shih-kai
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You have to train this as soon as you start in the workshop: how to saw, sawing straight. You might have to do 10 or 20 planks in one day. It’s something you must do every day – you have to maintain the feeling for it.

Chen first got into carpentry at vocational college, then studied Wood Science and Design at university. Over seven years he’s perfected the foundational skills, and last October he was finally chosen to represent Taiwan at the WorldSkills Competition in Switzerland. He beat competitors from around the world to win a gold medal in the Windows and Doors Professional Woodworking contest.

Chen Shih-kai
WorldSkills Competition gold medalist
You only find out the task the day before the contest. The whole contest is 22 hours long, spread out over four days. The hardest thing is managing the time well, and completing your task within the time limit, and making it as flawless as possible.

The task set this time was a window frame, but not just any window frame. It had to be possible to disassemble, open both inward and outward, and feature a lattice with an irregular curved edge. It had to be asymmetrical, both vertically and horizontally. And contestants were forbidden to use nails. Phew! A technical and artistic challenge.

Chen Shih-kai
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The hard part was these mortise and tenon joints. You have to saw them by hand. On the surface it looks like they’ve just been cut and stuck together in a simple way. But inside they’re actually very complicated. They have to be divided into many equal parts, and then you must stick the two materials together.

During the contest, Chen made a major error, but managed to fix it and complete the product within the time limit. The gold medal is a triumphant conclusion to his time at university, and a good omen as he heads out into professional life.

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