By National Health Insurance Administration Director General Lee Po-chang

A decade-long Constitutional Court case on whether to allow the research use of National Health Insurance (NHI) data has concluded, setting guidelines balancing the need to enable data utilization and privacy. The National Health Insurance Administration is positive on the public’s call to ensure and enhance privacy standards and has not only begun to prepare for legislation but also conducting research on the technical solutions, such as enabling people to opt out sharing their health passbook data via their mobile phone.

NHI data could play a pivotal role in advancing research in medical technology. Recently, research on COVID-19 patient’s NHI data was conducted to help with their referral to clinics to enable precision integrated care for infectious diseases, so that those with long COVID can receive the care they need. Liver diseases is one of the indications that can benefit from the use of NHI data in the long-term, regarding treatment, monitoring, and drug efficacy assessment, which will also benefit the development of new drugs and treatments.

The NHIA will ensure that the NHI data can be used in a way without concerns from the medical and academic communities as well as the public. The fruits of such research will also help ensure the health of Taiwanese and even people in other countries.

[2022-09-05/United Daily News]