The Lai administration’s health ministry highlighted its future policies at a press event on Wednesday. As part of the new president’s vision for a “healthy Taiwan,” the ministry will seek to improve medical care for children and women’s health. It will also continue health care reform and push amendments to the Assisted Reproduction Act. Ahead of the 77th World Health Assembly, health minister Chiu Tai-yuan is preparing to lead a delegation to Geneva. Despite Taiwan’s exclusion from the event due to Chinese pressure, the delegation will hold sideline talks and seek broader support for Taiwan’s right to participate.

On his third day in office, health minister Chiu Tai-yuan held a media tea session alongside his deputies, Chou Jih-haw, Lin Ching-yi, and Lue Jen-der. They presented President Lai Ching-te’s 10 policies for a “healthy Taiwan.”

Chiu Tai-yuan
Health minister
With regard to care for children, as you all know, pediatric medical capacities have become increasingly scarce. The second point is on women’s health, which is equally important and concerns a number of chronic diseases. We have very concrete policies in the “healthy Taiwan” program. We hope to achieve health outcomes that we’re calling the “888.”

Lin Ching-yi
Deputy health minister
Taiwan is an aging society with declining birth rates. So the hope is that our new government – given our economic successes these past eight years, we have some funds that we want to spend on the health insurance program and health care expenditures.

Besides implementing the “healthy Taiwan” program, the health ministry will continue past projects such as health insurance reform, improvements to the social safety net, and amendments to the Assisted Reproduction Act. And with the World Health Assembly coming up, the health minister is preparing to lead an action group to Geneva to advocate for Taiwan’s inclusion. This is now the eighth year in a row that Taiwan has been excluded. Taiwanese journalists have even been asked for Chinese passports when applying for a media permit.

Chiu Tai-yuan
Health minister
Actually, many countries are supportive of Taiwan’s participation in the international community. But the political pressure is great, and based on my observations over the years, China is only ramping up its efforts. With regard to the WHA issue, we must stand united and explore ways to forge more friendships.

Despite mounting political pressure from China, Taiwan’s delegation to Geneva plans to hold bilateral and multilateral talks on the WHA’s sidelines. The discussions will cover issues like sustainable development and mental health. Taiwan will share its experiences and seek broader global support for its inclusion in the World Health Organization.

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