Chen Shui-bian showing pre-stroke symptoms: doctor
Staff Reporter 2012-09-15 12:17 (GMT+8)
Chen Shui-bian is escorted in a wheelchair for medical checks at Taoyuan Hospital on Sept. 14. (File photo/Gan Chia-wen)
A member of the medical task force set up to evaluate the health of Taiwan's jailed former president Chen Shui-bian said on Sept. 13 that Chen may be displaying pre-stroke symptoms.
"He is suffering from stammering, which can be a sign of a minor stroke," said Chen Chao-tsu, a physician with the task force.
The former president's son Chen Chih-chung confirmed the statement and said his father also has problems focusing and is also losing control of his arms and legs.
"We all believe that there is a need for more medical checks. We hope that the authorities at the prison will not ignore my father's health," Chen Chih-chung said.
Yang Fang-yen, a spokesman for the Taipei Prison where Chen is incarcerated, said the symptoms do not necessarily indicate a pre-stroke. "It may be some other reason," Yang said. "We will arrange an MRI exam for him on Sept. 17 to figure out what the real problem is."
Chen, who served two terms as Taiwan's president from 2000-2008, is currently serving a 17-and-a-half-year jail term for corruption during his time in office.
