[Kaohsiung News] Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai presided over the 713th municipal administrative meeting on March 4, overseeing the swearing-in ceremony of the city’s new Director of the Department of Substance Control and Prevention, Chen Ying-hsiu, and new Director of the Youth Bureau, Lin Kai-hsuan. The meeting also featured a presentation from the Social Affairs Bureau titled “Transforming Kaohsiung, Advancing Forward: Creating a Gender-Inclusive City” and a public health report from the Department of Health. As International Women’s Day approaches on March 8, Mayor Chen extended his best wishes to female city agency heads and colleagues, urging the Social Affairs Bureau and relevant agencies to continue promoting comprehensive policies for women’s welfare and gender equality.
During the meeting, the Social Affairs Bureau presented key initiatives aimed at fostering a gender-inclusive city, highlighting the transformation of the “Women’s Rights Promotion Committee” into the “Gender Equality Committee.” This shift reflects a broader focus on gender equality across multiple areas, including decision-making power and influence, employment and welfare, education and media, personal safety and justice, healthcare and caregiving, as well as environmental sustainability, energy, and technology. Kaohsiung’s commitment to inclusivity was recognized with an excellence award in the Executive Yuan’s 2024 Local Government Gender Equality Guidance and Incentive Program for Special Municipalities and County Governments, underscoring the city’s determination to create a diverse and inclusive society.
Mayor Chen commended the Social Affairs Bureau for its efforts and urged all municipal agencies to continue implementing gender equality policies tailored to Kaohsiung’s unique needs. He emphasized that any interdepartmental issues should be coordinated through the CEO of the Office of Gender Equality to ensure that all government policies uphold the principles of gender inclusivity, further strengthening Kaohsiung as a welcoming and progressive city.
Addressing the Department of Health’s report on public health efforts, Mayor Chen outlined measures to alleviate emergency room congestion and reinforce the hierarchical medical system. From February 28 to March 23, the city will provide incentives to regional and major emergency hospitals to establish “Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Clinics” to divert mild cases from emergency departments. He also instructed the Health Bureau to monitor the effectiveness of these clinics in reducing ER overcrowding, thereby preserving critical medical resources for severe cases.
Mayor Chen noted an 18.58% decrease in outpatient and emergency visits for influenza-like illnesses compared to the previous week. However, he stressed the importance of continued vaccination efforts, particularly for high-risk individuals aged 65 and above, and reinforced public health measures such as frequent handwashing and proper cough etiquette. He also urged citizens to adhere to the “stay home when sick” policy for respiratory illnesses. Regarding norovirus and enterovirus infections, Mayor Chen directed the Department of Health and the Education Bureau to intensify awareness campaigns in schools and the community, emphasizing proper hygiene practices such as washing hands with soap after using the restroom and before meals. He advised those showing symptoms to remain at home until 48 hours after symptoms subside before resuming school or work.
Image 1-2: Mayor Chen presides over the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Director of the Department of Substance Control and Prevention, Chen Ying-hsiu, and Director of the Youth Bureau, Lin Kai-hsuan.
Image3-5: Mayor Chen attends the municipal meeting, receiving briefings from the Social Affairs Bureau on “Transforming Kaohsiung, Advancing Forward: Creating a Gender-Inclusive City” and from the Department of Health on public health initiatives.
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