Taiwan

Taiwan's former President Chen Shui-bian suspects that he has colon cancer, and plans to apply to receive medication outside prison boundaries, his lawyer said yesterday. Meanwhile, the former first lady, who is serving her prison deal at home, visited her husband in the Taipei Prison yesterday.

Chen's lawyer Shih Yi-lin related the ex-president's concerns of declining health. During Shih's recent visit to the jail, Chen had related to her that he has been having frequent bowel movements, and at times needs to take five to six trips to the restroom per day. Also, he has been bothered by chest tightness and is often uncomfortable.

A Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator who has also recently visited the former president echoed Shih's statements. Chen suspects that he has colon cancer because he finds his symptoms similar to those of his cellmate, a man previously diagnosed with colon cancer.

Chen has also caught colds, the legislator said. The thing with being in prison is that one can not receive thorough health checkups, so the origins of bodily discomfort can not be pinpointed, he explained.

Shih pointed out that although the prison's physicians had collected Chen's bowel samples for further checkups two weeks ago, examination results are not yet available.

Chen is hoping to apply to receive proper medication at a hospital, and to specifically request to undergo a colonoscopy, Shih said, adding that her client's mental condition was already poor last Friday. A recent court hearting involving Chen even shortened its session from a fully day to half a day after taking Chen's health situation into account.

The former first family is deeply worried about Chen's health, yesterday said Chen's son, former Kaohsiung City Councilor Chen Chih-chung. Amid the talk over his father's condition, however, the junior Chen stressed that he is resolute to participate in the 2016 legislative election.

Because visiting Chen up north in Taoyuan poses great inconvenience for Chen's aged mother and handicapped wife, the family is considering applying to have his father moved to serve his jail term in Kaohsiung instead of Taipei, the junior Chen said.

The younger Chen also said he has made up his mind to apply by June to have his DPP membership revived and run for a legislative spot in 2016. Losing the election in January did not hinder his service to the people, and he has faith that with the help of local DPP officials, he would continue to be supported by the people.