TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A top official from Taiwan's Presidential Office emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among the central government, local authorities, and hospital management to address the pressing issue of emergency room overcrowding on Tuesday (March 4).
During an online show interview, Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-General Xavier Chang (張惇涵) acknowledged the criticism from the public, and stressed the interconnected roles these entities play in resolving the crisis. He highlighted the complexity of factors contributing to hospital overcrowding, including the return of patients to their hometowns before the Lunar New Year, the severe winter flu season, and a shortage of nursing staff.
Chang noted that these issues have arisen in a short period, prompting President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) to warn that if left unaddressed, the problem could persist next year. He candidly admitted the existing shortage of nurses, with approximately 120,000 currently in practice, facing immense stress due to challenging working conditions.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, 衛服部) has launched a four-year plan to invest NT$27.4 billion in enhancing nursing manpower. Chang mentioned that since 2023, the national nursing exam increased from two to three times a year. He also underscored the importance of improving workplace conditions and increasing resources for health insurance, which saw a NT$71.2 billion boost this year.
Chang acknowledged the gradual nature of these improvements, noting that the MOHW raised nurses’ salaries by about 4% last year, influencing some private hospitals to follow suit.
