TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taitung's Public Health Bureau (衛生局) on Thursday (April 24) announced it has proactively addressed the ongoing issue of insufficient medical resources in Lyudao Township (綠島). The situation prompted legislators during a committee meeting to call for immediate action from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, 衛福部).
Legislators Chuang Jui-hsiung (莊瑞雄) and Chen Ying (陳瑩) urged MOHW to implement systemic improvements at the Lyudao Township Public Health Center (綠島衛生所). They highlighted the long-term shortage of physicians, which has persisted since 2022. The Public Health Bureau noted that the center has operated with one physician short of its full complement of three since March 2022. To mitigate this, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taitung (台東馬偕醫院), has provided support.
The bureau revealed that the supporting physician plans to retire in March next year, potentially affecting night shift coverage. Authorities have already coordinated with central agencies to address this challenge. Currently, Green Island relies on the health center and one clinic, supported by the Integrated Delivery System (IDS, 全民健康保險山地離島地區醫療給付效益提昇計畫) project, to maintain 24-hour medical services.
Chuang described the situation as a gamble, not a system, noting the heavy burden on the two doctors who handle community health, epidemic prevention, and cancer screenings. Chen emphasized that Green Island residents deserve the same medical rights as those on Taiwan's main island. She called for the MOHW to activate contingency measures immediately.
