Miaoli County, Taiwan — September 16, 2025
A man from Zaoqiao Township, Miaoli County, has been fined for repeatedly abusing emergency medical services. Authorities said the man, surnamed Zhang, called 119 a total of 18 times last month while intoxicated, requesting ambulances for non-urgent conditions. Each dispatch consumed at least 30 minutes of valuable rescue time.
The Miaoli County Fire Department confirmed that Zhang was fined NT$6,400 under the county’s Fire and Ambulance Fee Implementation Guidelines, first introduced in 2016 to prevent misuse of emergency services.
Zhang had a history of similar behavior. In March last year, he made 12 unnecessary calls and was fined NT$3,200. Although he refrained for more than a year, he recently returned to his old habits.
According to officials, Zhang often reported minor ailments such as stomach pain, nausea, or nose discomfort after drinking. In one instance, he even requested an ambulance because a bandage applied at the hospital was “too loose.” Firefighters admitted they had become “familiar” with his number and the local emergency rooms, yet still had to respond each time in case of a real emergency.
Medical evaluations consistently classified his conditions as fourth-level minor cases or fifth-level non-emergencies. In many situations, Zhang left the hospital without receiving treatment.
Social workers later interviewed Zhang, who explained he “just felt uncomfortable” and therefore called for help. Under county rules, individuals who drink frequently and misuse ambulance services for minor or self-abandoned cases are required to pay a basic fee of NT$600 plus a NT$500 technician fee.
The Fire Department stressed that while the fines are a deterrent, the larger issue is that unnecessary ambulance use diverts critical resources away from patients in genuine emergencies. Officials added that Zhang’s repeated abuse across several towns, including Miaoli City and Tongxiao, risked delaying life-saving responses.
The case has now been referred to the police and the Miaoli County Mental Health Center for follow-up support and counseling, as authorities urge the public not to misuse 119 services.
