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2011/08/02 China Times [By Qiu Liying / Taipei Report]
The seventh lunar month marks the opening of the ghost gates, a time when traditional customs symbolize "unfavorable conditions for all activities." Not only are weddings, funerals, and celebrations avoided, but traveling far or swimming is also considered taboo. However, historical monthly mortality data shows that the number of deaths from July to September in the Gregorian calendar is not higher than in other months. Surgeries and hospitalizations during the ghost month are avoided by the public whenever possible, leading to fewer hospital visits. Ironically, the lunar ghost month has become a "vacation month" for doctors.
According to mortality statistics from the Department of Health from 2005 to 2009, monthly deaths mostly ranged between 11,000 and 12,000, with the highest numbers concentrated from December to March. However, in 2005 and 2006, when the ghost month fell in August and September of the Gregorian calendar, the death toll was the lowest of the year, at only around 10,000 to 11,000.
Huang Xuming, director of the Department of Health’s Statistics Office, interpreted this trend by noting that people tend to be more cautious during the ghost month, leading to a decrease in accidental deaths. However, some medical staff privately speculate that it may be because people dislike staying in hospitals during this time, leading to early discharges. With reduced hospital workloads and improved care quality, mortality rates naturally decline.
A psychiatric specialist pointed out that many patients with mental health issues do not seek medical help immediately but instead attribute their conditions to supernatural causes, such as being possessed or haunted by ghosts. Additionally, many patients or their families adamantly refuse hospitalization or surgery during the ghost month, no matter the circumstances.
Source: http://tw. news. yahoo. com/ article/ url/ d/ a/ 110802/ 4/ 2w4bn. html
Tug-of-War with Superstition - Ghost Month Avoids Medical Care, Lower Mortality?
The seventh lunar month marks the opening of the ghost gates, a time when traditional customs symbolize "unfavorable conditions for all activities." Not only are weddings, funerals, and celebrations avoided, but traveling far or swimming is also considered taboo. However, historical monthly mortality data shows that the number of deaths from July to September in the Gregorian calendar is not higher than in other months. Surgeries and hospitalizations during the ghost month are avoided by the public whenever possible, leading to fewer hospital visits. Ironically, the lunar ghost month has become a "vacation month" for doctors.
According to mortality statistics from the Department of Health from 2005 to 2009, monthly deaths mostly ranged between 11,000 and 12,000, with the highest numbers concentrated from December to March. However, in 2005 and 2006, when the ghost month fell in August and September of the Gregorian calendar, the death toll was the lowest of the year, at only around 10,000 to 11,000.
Huang Xuming, director of the Department of Health’s Statistics Office, interpreted this trend by noting that people tend to be more cautious during the ghost month, leading to a decrease in accidental deaths. However, some medical staff privately speculate that it may be because people dislike staying in hospitals during this time, leading to early discharges. With reduced hospital workloads and improved care quality, mortality rates naturally decline.
A psychiatric specialist pointed out that many patients with mental health issues do not seek medical help immediately but instead attribute their conditions to supernatural causes, such as being possessed or haunted by ghosts. Additionally, many patients or their families adamantly refuse hospitalization or surgery during the ghost month, no matter the circumstances.
Source: http://tw. news. yahoo. com/ article/ url/ d/ a/ 110802/ 4/ 2w4bn. html