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Taiwan considers reproductive access for unmarried women
Taiwan legislators discuss amendments to the Ministry of Health and Welfare Act, focusing on artificial reproduction rights for unmarried women and same-sex couples
2026/01/07 12:00
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Teachers union demands halt to child surveillance plan
The National Federation of Teachers Unions in Taiwan demands the withdrawal of the "Surveillance Cloud" plan, urging a focus on prevention over digital monitoring of children.
2025/12/22 19:00
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Taipei launches tools to curb child fatalities at home
Taipei’s Department of Health reports 18 child fatalities linked to sleep safety and falls. New tools, including a home safety checklist and games, aim to prevent accidents.
2025/12/01 19:00
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20% of abused children in Taiwan have special needs
The Ministry of Health and Welfare in Taiwan reports that 20% of abused children in 2024 have special needs. Experts stress early intervention and support.
2025/04/26 08:00
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Child abuse leaves 75% of survivors permanently disabled
Child abuse in Taiwan leads to 26 severe injuries or deaths annually, with 90% of cases involving children under 2. Experts urge increased awareness and prevention.
2025/04/11 15:34
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Over 70% of Taiwan’s kids overly reliant on social media
Over 70% of children in Taiwan rely heavily on social media, says the Child Welfare League Foundation. Excessive use impacts life satisfaction and physical health.
2025/04/02 16:16
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Taiwan legislators identify six child protection loopholes
Lee Jing-lei urges Taiwan’s government to implement a strict work permit system to protect children from abuse. She highlights the need for vetting workers and balancing privacy with safety.
2025/04/02 15:05
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Taiwan CDC reports decade-high enterovirus cases
Taiwan CDC reports a decade-high rise in enterovirus cases, with 20,913 consultations last week. An 8-year-old boy is the seventh severe case this year.
2024/11/12 22:00
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New home care and telemedicine services starting in July
Discover how Taiwan’s new health regulations, effective July 1, will expand telemedicine services, enhance home emergency care, and improve child development screenings, benefiting millions.
2024/06/28 15:33
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Taipei to offer enterovirus vaccines for low-income kids
Discover how Taipei and New Taipei City are tackling enterovirus with new subsidy programs for vaccines, aimed at helping low-income families and reducing the financial burden of healthcare.
2024/05/22 17:38
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New Taipei offers free enterovirus vaccines for young child
Discover how New Taipei City is tackling the enterovirus outbreak with free vaccinations for infants under three from low and middle-income families, starting May 23. Learn about eligibility and where to get vaccinated.
2024/05/22 11:27
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Taiwan’s Medical Act revision to protect pregnant doctors
In Taipei, a survey by the Doctors’ Union highlights that nearly 30% of female doctors are required to work night shifts, prompting calls for amendments to the Medical Care Act to better protect pregnant and child-rearing female doctors. The Ministry of Health and Welfare emphasizes existing protections but faces challenges in enforcing these due to previous constitutional rulings. Amendments aim to allow night shifts for pregnant doctors with consent, under specific conditions, with fines for non-compliance. The situation underscores the ongoing struggle to balance medical care needs with gender equality and workers’ rights.
2024/05/10 18:05
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Taiwan releases film to boost WHO bid
Discover "My Second Home," a documentary by Taiwan’s MOFA showcasing their advanced medical capabilities through the story of an Indonesian child’s successful liver transplant. This film is part of Taiwan’s bid for WHO inclusion, available in 12 languages and shared globally on social media.
2024/05/07 10:38
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Lai’s Cabinet picks spark interest in Health Minister choice
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.
2024/04/15 12:42
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Taipei mayor takes action on suspected daycare child abuse
In Taipei, a child under one year old underwent successful emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma, sparking concerns of potential child abuse. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has mobilized the Department of Health and police to investigate, with the daycare center temporarily suspended. The case’s complexities, including the timing of the injuries and responsibilities of the parents or nanny, are under scrutiny as authorities aim for a swift resolution and the child’s recovery.
2024/04/12 10:59
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Advancing mental health care: Taiwan’s new policy directions
President-elect Lai Ching-te’s mental health proposals have gained recognition from the medical community in Taiwan. The Taiwan Health Movement Alliance praises Lai’s initiatives, such as the "Mental Health Plan for Young People" and "Mental Health Leave," emphasizing the importance of mental health support and early intervention. Experts recommend adopting treatment guidelines from Europe and America, focusing on psychological interventions over medication. They also suggest establishing child and adolescent psychiatry centers and promoting integrated treatment models. Lai’s advocacy for physical and mental health, along with stress management education, is seen as crucial for building a healthy Taiwan.
2024/04/01 18:25
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Heated clash at Legislature Yuan over child abuse case
Chaotic scene at Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan as KMT and DPP lawmakers clash over child abuse case. Tensions rise as DPP questions impartiality of committee chair, leading to physical altercation. Fracas ends with senior party figures’ intervention, allowing health minister’s report to proceed.
2024/03/18 12:12
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Taiwan Premier mourns child abuse victim, vows policy review
Premier Chen Chien-jen expresses deep sorrow over a recent child abuse case in Taipei, emphasizing the need for collaboration among central and local governments and civic groups to safeguard the rights of children and youth. He instructs government agencies to review response procedures and amend relevant laws for better protection.
2024/03/15 16:50
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Health Minister vows action after tragic child abuse case
Minister of Health and Welfare Hsueh Jui-yuan acknowledges shared responsibility in recent child abuse case, prompting examination and amendment to child welfare laws. Shocking incident involving daycare worker in Taipei stirs societal uproar. Emphasis on local implementation of child rights law and need for improved communication between central and local authorities highlighted. Calls for immediate review meetings by local government in major child abuse cases underscored.
2024/03/14 16:23
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MOHW orders CWLF to stop admissions amid foster care scandal
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.
2024/03/13 12:41
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Taipei union defends social worker amid abuse case
The Taipei Social Workers Union protests against the blame placed solely on social worker Chen in the tragic child abuse case involving 1-year-old "Kai-kai." The union defends Chen’s cooperation in the investigation and criticizes undue media attention, urging respect for her privacy. Concerns are raised over the Child Welfare League Foundation’s demands and authorities using social workers as scapegoats. The union questions the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s delayed response and law enforcement’s handling of Chen. As the case proceeds judicially, the union calls for discretion in sharing sensitive information and highlights systemic issues in the social work sector.
2024/03/13 11:29
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Taiwanese youth obesity crisis raises health concerns
A concerning rise in obesity among Taiwanese adolescents highlights the urgent need for awareness and intervention. Experts emphasize the link between lifestyle habits and chronic disease risks, advocating for early education on diet and exercise.
2024/01/18 16:21
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Excessive screen time contributes to Myopia surge in Taiwan
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on Taiwanese students’ eyesight, with 81.61% of high-school students, 73.16% of junior high school students, and 45.23% of elementary students experiencing poor eyesight in the 2022-2023 academic year. Excessive use of electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, is a major contributing factor to the prevalence of myopia, the most common eye condition among children. A survey conducted by the Child Welfare League Foundation in 2019 found that the average age at which children own their first phone is ten. Ophthalmologists warn that individuals with myopia over 500 degrees are three times more likely to develop glaucoma and 5.5 times more likely to develop cataracts compared to their peers. The risks escalate for those with myopia over 700 degrees, as they are 44 times more likely to experience retinal detachment and 127 times more likely to suffer macular degeneration. Even successful myopia laser correction does not eliminate the potential risks of ocular diseases, as thinning of eye tissues and elongation of the eye axis persist. The golden period for myopia control is considered to be between 3 to 18 years of age, and various strategies such as increased outdoor activities, the use of mydriatic agents, Orthokeratology, daily disposable contact lenses designed for myopia control, and the latest children’s vision management lenses can be employed. These alarming rates highlight the urgent need to strike a balance between technology use and effective prevention strategies and early treatment for Taiwanese children.
2024/01/03 20:06
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Hou Yu-ih slams DPP over sexual harassment cases
Kuomintang’s (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih criticizes the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) over recent sexual harassment cases in the party. Hou highlights the lack of response from the DPP’s Department of Gender Equality to these incidents. He challenges Lai Ching-te, asking if he believes this is a virtue. Hou pledges to rigorously address sexual harassment and maintain high moral standards among officials. His zero-tolerance approach towards corruption and sex scandals sets the tone for his campaign. In the third round of the television policy presentation, Hou focuses on gender issues, proposing policies to increase women’s representation in governance, improve maternal and child health care, and alleviate family care pressure. These proposals demonstrate his commitment to gender equality and addressing women’s challenges in Taiwan.
2023/12/26 18:48
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Taiwan boosts pediatrician subsidies to NT$1,000 in 2024
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%.
2023/12/19 16:51