Care for Families Uninterrupted Despite Epidemic

Taiwan has raised epidemic warning to level 3, and the major hospitals have upgraded their surveillance. TFRD has recently received concerns from some patients about whether their regular visits to the hospital will be unavailable, or whether they will have to reduce their visits for fear of being infected.

TFRD reminds that if you feel uncomfortable and are unable to go to the hospital, be sure to seek advice from your attending doctor or contact TFRD. TFRD has recently asked many medical centers to investigate and track the current health care for patients with rare diseases (RD). TFRD has also presented the needs of RD patients and solutions to the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). Patients who need emergency medical care can consult the 14 medical centers that carry out the "Program for Rare Disease Care Services" rolled out by the Health Promotion Administration of MOHW.  These centers will provide medical assistance during the outbreak.

In order to provide more comprehensive protection for patients who need to go to the hospital in person, TFRD has procured personal protective equipment, including goggles, mask, and protective clothing. Applications are now open to patients who need to go to the hospital for urgent or necessary treatment. Please fill out the online form or call us to register. TFRD will send you the equipment as soon as possible.

In addition, TFRD's Expanding Rare Disease Family Livelihood Assistance Subsidy, which was launched last year, will be extended to help RD families to survive the economic downturn. If you meet the following criteria, please contact TFRD social workers and submit relevant documents. TFRD will evaluate individual cases and provide one-time financial assistance.

(1) RD patients and the breadwinners in the family who lose their jobs involuntarily or voluntarily due to the epidemic may apply.
(2) RD patients and the breadwinners in the family who are on furlough or pay cut due to the epidemic may apply.
(3) RD patients and the breadwinners in the family whose income from self-employment, case taking or temporary work is getting reduced may apply. Those without labor insurance status may also apply.
(4)The breadwinners who need to take a leave from work to take care of their RD families because of the suspension of service in a long-term care facility, which affect their income, may apply.

Meanwhile, in order to ensure that the necessary treatment is not interrupted during the epidemic, you can also apply for financial subsidies from the TFRD to cover the medical expenses. TFRD will offer the necessary assistance through the Rare Disease Medical Care Assistance Fund.

Translator: David Lee (Becker Muscular Dystrophy)