TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, 衛福部) Minister Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) announced on Monday (Dec. 16) that the ministry has decided to reopen an investigation into a 2020 suicide case. The decision came following recent complaints about bullying incidents within the ministry, and is aimed to provide reassurance to the family involved.
The ministry recently disclosed findings from its bullying case investigation, revealing eight complaints filed by employees. Authorities confirmed three cases as bullying, resulting in disciplinary action against seven individuals. Although the ministry's Secretary-General Liu Yu-chuan (劉玉娟) was not found guilty of bullying, officials removed her from her concurrent role as director of the Department of Social Insurance due to inappropriate remarks.
Legislator Chen Gau-tzu (陳昭姿) highlighted in an inquiry at the Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee (立法院社會福利及衛生環境委員會) that during Liu's tenure as head of the Taipei Division of the National Health Insurance Administration (健保署), an employee committed suicide in June 2020. Chen noted that five or six colleagues from the same division sought psychological counseling, describing their work experience as distressing.
Deputy Minister Lue Jen-der (呂建德) clarified that the deceased employee had been under treatment for several years, with medical records available for verification. Lue urged against the manipulation of the incident for ulterior motives. Nonetheless, Chen argued that the ministry's response inflicted further harm on the bereaved family, demanding a renewed investigation for justice.