Taiwan Minister of Health and Welfare 結果共29筆

Discover how Taiwan’s Deputy Ministers of Health and Welfare are responding to a recent stabbing on the Taichung Metro by emphasizing mental health services and collaboration with the Ministry of Justice. Learn about their plans to enhance community mental health and ensure a safer environment.

Discover how Taiwan’s Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare, Lin Ching-yi, addresses concerns over National Health Insurance reform, emphasizing a balanced approach to maintain high-quality healthcare without increasing the financial burden on citizens.

Explore the potential easing of mask mandates in hospitals by Health and Welfare Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan in Taiwan, as COVID-19 restrictions adjust. Deliberations include balancing public health with convenience, amidst discussions on enterovirus vaccines and regulatory updates in a Legislative Yuan meeting.

Taiwan could be excluded from the World Health Assembly for the eighth consecutive year, with no invitation to the 77th WHA in Geneva. Despite this, an action team led by Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan will still attend for health exchanges. Efforts to regain WHA participation have been ongoing since 1997, but Taiwan has faced barriers since 2017. The exclusion continues despite Taiwan’s previous WHO membership before 1971.

Discover the latest personnel appointments by Premier-designate Cho Jung-tai for the Executive Yuan, including key positions in the Ministry of Labor, Health and Welfare, the Hakka Affairs Council, the Council of Indigenous Peoples, and the Ministry of Environment. This announcement follows President-elect Lai Ching-te’s vision for a ＂Healthy Taiwan＂ and showcases a commitment to diversity and expertise in the new cabinet.

The Taiwan Federation of Medical Unions criticizes the rumored appointment of Chiu Tai-yuan as Health and Welfare Minister, citing his past refusal to engage with the union and opposition to disability rights amendments. They outline five qualities essential for the role, emphasizing the need for reform, communication, and respect within the healthcare sector to address workforce challenges and improve public health.

President-elect Lai Ching-te’s cabinet announcement sparks interest in the Ministry of Health and Welfare selection. Current Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan has not received retention notice. Chen Jyh-hong, convener of the ＂Healthy Taiwan＂ forum, is a potential candidate. Hsueh may announce health insurance premium increase before stepping down. Ministry proposes plan to address insufficient pediatric resident doctors.

Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Victor Wang addresses the rare occurrence of Bongkrek acid production in Taiwan, sparking public fear after a food poisoning incident. Wang discusses the conditions necessary for toxin production and potential changes to the Chinese translation to avoid stigmatizing rice products.

Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan addresses a food poisoning outbreak in Taipei, suggesting endogenous toxins as a possible cause. The crisis at Polam Kopitiam has led to 14 illnesses and 2 fatalities, with suspicions of deliberate poisoning. An investigation is ongoing as experts explore the unusual symptoms and potential sources of contamination.

Taiwan’s Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan announces the removal of products made with red yeast rice from Japan due to adverse reactions. Kobayashi Pharmaceutical’s recall follows reports of acute kidney failure, with one reported death under investigation.

Taipei’s MOHW orders CWLF to suspend new foster child placements following a tragic case. Deputy Minister Lee Li-Fen calls for internal review and supervision improvements. Adoption process for existing children to receive heightened scrutiny.

The story discusses Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan’s remarks on the competition among Taiwan medical institutions and the potential impact on registration fees. The Ministry of Health and Welfare is shifting away from fixed fee recommendations, raising concerns about fee hikes. Hsueh emphasized the need for oversight to prevent collusion and unfair practices, particularly in regions with limited healthcare resources.

Taipei’s Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare questions Taichung City’s decision to publicly announce the presence of Cimbuterol in local pork produce, insisting on a thorough investigation before disclosure. Taichung City’s Office of Food and Drug Safety found the banned substance in frozen pork slices produced by TaiSugar. The city health bureau defended the immediate announcement, citing the need to protect consumers and citizens’ health interests. The Executive Yuan expressed doubts about the test results, citing unusually low levels of Cimbuterol detected and suggesting further investigations. Taichung City’s Office of Food and Drug Safety informed Pingtung County’s Public Health Bureau and Tainan’s Public Health Bureau for further investigation. Organizations like the Executive Yuan’s Consumer Protection Committee and the Consumers’ Foundation tend to directly announce results when adulterated products are found, justifying Taichung’s disclosure. The office conducted three tests using two methodologies, with one result exceeding the quantitative limit. Only TaiSugar’s product tested positive for Cimbuterol. TaiSugar has called for a re-examination of the test results and sent the sample to the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Food and Drug Administration for reinspection.

Taiwan’s Premier Chen Chien-jen expresses relief and happiness over the resolution of the planned strike by EVA Air pilots. An agreement was reached between the pilots union and the company, averting the strike during the Lunar New Year period. Premier Chen visited a private AnKang education and nursing institution in Taoyuan City, presenting special meal funds and New Year grab bags ahead of the holidays.

Taiwan’s Health and Welfare Minister, Hsueh Jui-yuan, has announced that a major overhaul of hospital evaluation standards is underway, with the possibility of abolishing limits on the number of medical centers. This has sparked discussions and concerns about the reliability of hospital assessments, particularly after rumors circulated that Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital may replace Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital as a frontrunner in the northern region’s medical center. Minister Hsueh assured that the core concepts of tiered medical treatment will remain unchanged, and this year’s evaluation plans will not be affected. However, he acknowledged that the evaluation standards for medical centers, which have not been updated in over 20 years, need to be reviewed. The Minister highlighted the need to amend criteria that have become outdated, such as the mandatory inclusion of an Institutional Review Board (IRB), which is now a standard practice in all hospitals. The new evaluation standards will be announced publicly after a meeting, and medical centers willing to participate will undergo a trial evaluation. A draft of the updated standards is expected to be implemented within two years, in time for the next evaluation round in three years.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare has announced updates to its Rules of Medical Diagnosis and Treatment by Telecommunications, expanding telemedicine services to a larger population under certain conditions, effective July 1. Approximately 2.47 million individuals are expected to benefit from these changes. The updates aim to adapt to the post-COVID-19 healthcare landscape and extend the scope of telemedicine to five special situations, including chronic disease care, end-stage disease care, custody care in correctional facilities, care for the mobility challenged, and care during disasters, communicable diseases, or other significant changes. Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan clarified that not all patients can avail of telemedicine services, as evaluation by healthcare units is mandatory, and physicians who violate the rules may face a maximum fine of NT＄100,000. The new process combines physical outpatient services with telemedicine to reduce costs and time for patients requiring post-acute care, offering a convenient and seamless healthcare experience. The updated rules broaden the range of medical services that physicians can provide through telecommunication. Additionally, the Ministry has stated that doctors, after evaluating the patient’s stable condition, can now electronically prescribe medication for patients with chronic mental illnesses or in end-stage care, including regulated drugs like morphine.

Lung cancer in Chiayi City is the leading cause of cancer deaths, accounting for nearly one-fifth of all cancer-related deaths in Taiwan. The recent death of Tsai Wen-hsu, a veteran councilor from the Democratic Progressive Party, has highlighted the importance of early cancer detection. Former Chiayi City mayor and minister of the Department of Health, Twu Shiing-jer, emphasized the need for preventive medicine and comprehensive screening. Statistics show that early-stage lung cancer has a significantly higher five-year survival rate. To address this issue, the Ministry of Health and Welfare launched an early lung cancer detection program, making Taiwan a leader in lung cancer screening. The program targets individuals with a family history of the disease and heavy smokers, offering low-dose CT scans every two years. However, while screening can detect lung cancer early, it cannot prevent the disease. Public health officials recommend smoking cessation services and rejecting smoking to mitigate the risk of lung cancer.

Taiwan’s Minister of Health and Welfare, Hsueh Jui-yuan, has announced significant increases in subsidies for dedicated pediatricians starting in 2024. The ＂2023 Plan to Optimize Pediatric Medical Care＂ aims to improve the quality of pediatric care and attract more young practitioners to the field. The subsidy for physicians specializing in the care of each young child will double from NT$500 to NT$1,000. The optimization plan, with a total budget of NT$2.8 billion, will run from 2021 to 2024, with NT$2 billion allocated for 2024 alone. The implementation of the dedicated pediatrician system across the nation underscores the investment made in this critical healthcare sector. Currently, 22 counties and municipalities have implemented the dedicated pediatrician system for children aged 0 to 3, and since November, it has expanded to include newborns. There are currently 1,882 dedicated pediatricians serving over 184,000 young children across 1,048 medical institutions, bringing the national coverage rate to 40.5%.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare has addressed reports of an extramarital affair involving Secretary General Hsu Chao-cheng, expressing hopes that he will handle the matter appropriately. Hsu himself acknowledged the affair on Facebook, apologizing to his wife, family, and colleagues. The affair was brought to light by Mirror Media, which revealed frequent interactions between Hsu and a female subordinate, identified as Chen. Colleagues reported seeing them together watching movies and shopping. Deputy Minister Jih-Haw Chou of the Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that if any aspect of the affair relates to official duties, it will be further investigated.

The Legislative Yuan’s Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee reviewed proposed amendments to the Assisted Reproduction Act, including one that would allow a surviving spouse to use embryos for having children after the death of their partner. The Ministry of Health and Welfare is considering expanding the legislation to include same-sex couples, single individuals, and surrogate pregnancies. Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan suggested a public hearing to gather feedback due to the ethical, legal, and child welfare considerations involved. The current law only permits assisted reproduction for married couples, excluding single women and lesbian couples. Taiwan also does not currently recognize surrogacy as legal, creating unresolved issues regarding the parental status of children born through such arrangements. The debate reflects the government’s attempt to address societal changes and demographic challenges, particularly concerns about population decline.

Legislators at the Legislative Yuan are demanding that the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) clearly define ＂fresh milk＂ to differentiate between imported milk and domestically-produced fresh milk in order to protect local dairy farmers. This demand comes as the 10-year anniversary of the economic cooperation agreement known as ANZTEC between New Zealand and Taiwan approaches, which will bring about a zero-tariff policy by 2025. The MOA has committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) to discuss the criteria for defining ’fresh milk.’ Proposals suggest establishing a clear distinction between domestic raw milk and imported liquid milk to ensure stability in contracts between dairy farmers and milk product manufacturers. It is argued that due to high-temperature sterilization and long-distance transportation, imported milk products should be categorized differently from fresh milk produced and stocked within Taiwan. The Acting Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih stated that the storage period and processing issues for ’fresh milk’ will be discussed in consultation with the MOHW, and milk labels will be revised to emphasize ＂Taiwan fresh milk＂ for market segmentation, preserving the label exclusively for domestically produced fresh milk. Currently, the national definition of ＂fresh milk＂ refers to raw cow’s milk processed with heating, sterilization, and refrigeration for consumption without specifying a shelf life.

Taiwan’s Minister of Health and Welfare expressed support for signing a memorandum of understanding with India by year-end, aiming to introduce around 100,000 Indian migrant workers to Taiwan. The agreement could involve employing these workers in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, institutional, and domestic care sectors. However, the contract signing might be delayed until December, and the employment of new migrant workers cannot begin immediately. Currently, Taiwan has approximately 748,000 foreign migrant workers, with Indonesians being the largest group at 267,000, primarily in caregiving. Vietnam follows with 260,000 workers, and the Philippines with 150,000, mainly in manufacturing. This collaboration could make India Taiwan’s fourth-largest source of migrant workers.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare in Taiwan has decided to lower the entry standards for the national examination for nursing personnel in order to address staff shortages. The Minister of Health and Welfare, Hsueh Jui-yuan, expressed his uncertainty about the reasons for nurses’ dissatisfaction with the announcement. The goal of this policy change is to enhance the pass rate in the national examinations and boost the nursing workforce. However, the National Taiwan University Hospital Union argues that the real issue lies in the lack of conducive workplace environments to retain nurses, rather than the number of nursing licenses. They believe that both ministries have failed to adequately discuss the policy change and provide comprehensive explanations and support measures. The union urges hospital management to improve the workplace environment to better handle staffing predicaments.

Taiwanese health authorities plan to include Chinese students in the island’s health insurance starting from the 2024 school year, according to Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan. Currently, international students must wait six months after arriving in Taiwan to be eligible for health insurance. The reform was prompted by concerns from Paraguay about the health rights of its students in Taiwan and was supported by Vice President Lai Ching-te, who advocated for equal treatment of Chinese students. Currently, international students with a residence permit and six months of residency in Taiwan can apply for health insurance at a cost of NT$826 per person per month. The Ministry of Health and Welfare, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Mainland Affairs Council, has been considering this measure for some time and has evaluated its financial impact. The inclusion of Chinese students in the health insurance program will require adjustments to premiums for all international students, but the overall impact is expected to be minimal. The new measure will not apply to students who are in Taiwan for short periods and not pursuing a degree. However, it could be implemented as early as September 2024 for international students with a residence permit. Despite a halt on Chinese students coming to Taiwan since 2020, 378 students registered in 2022. The peak of Chinese students in Taiwan was in 2016, with a total of 41,975 students.

Taiwan’s Minister of Health and Welfare, Hsueh Jui-yuan, confirms planned amendments to the ＂Assisted Reproduction Act＂ will include changes to surrogacy policies, extending coverage to same-sex partners, single women, and surrogate mothers. The draft law will be made public early next year and reviewed by the Executive Yuan by the year’s end. Presidential candidates have called for surrogacy policy consideration, with Ko Wen-je inviting a long-term surrogacy policy advocate for discussion. The amendments are not influenced by Ko’s political platform. The ongoing effort to amend the law has been ongoing for two-and-a-half years, with a preliminary draft of 42 articles finalized and 13 expert meetings held. The revision aims to protect children’s rights while addressing same-sex marriage, single women, and surrogacy issues. Surrogacy services will require professional consultation and legal contracts to outline rights and obligations for both parties.