TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan legislators have urged expanding drone medical deliveries nationwide following successful emergency deployment to Hualien's landslide-affected Matai'an (馬太鞍) area in late September. Democratic Progressive Party (民進黨), Taiwan's ruling party, legislators Lee Kuen-cheng (李坤城) and Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱) pressed the Ministry of Health and Welfare (衛福部) Thursday (Oct. 2) to scale drone operations across remote regions.
Lee highlighted the ministry's feasibility assessments for drone deliveries since Aug. 3, aimed at protecting public health during natural disasters. Chung advocated collaboration between the health ministry and Civil Aviation Administration (民航局) for practical emergency drills. This coordination would ensure rapid drone deployment when transportation networks face disaster-related disruptions.
Deputy Health Minister Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) announced plans to identify remote areas vulnerable to transportation disruptions through open contract planning. Civil Aviation Administration Deputy Director General Lin Jiunn-liang (林俊良) confirmed disaster commanders could coordinate drone medical deliveries. The aviation authority will review application procedures to enhance operational efficiency during emergency responses. ◼