A forum calling for the government to increase Taiwan’s competitiveness by raising investments into public health was held on Feb. 24. In attendance were experts from the Taiwan College of Healthcare Executive (TCHE) and the International Research-Based Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, who signed the “2023 Taipei healthcare declaration,” urging the government to raise healthcare spending to at least 8 percent of the GDP before 2028.

TCHE Chairman Hung Tzi-jen said that the management of Taiwan’s healthcare system must shift from the cost control mindset to one that focuses on value creation. By amending the National Health Insurance Act and coordinating the joint efforts of different government departments, Taiwan can become a global leader in healthcare and leverage biotechnology innovations in spurring on economic growth. YFY Biotech Management Company Chairman Chang Hung-jen said that if the National Health Insurance (NHI) premium rates remain unchanged, many new drugs and medical technologies cannot be included on the NHI fee schedule, limiting the availability of these treatment options to wealthy people. Rachel Lu, a professor at Chang Gung University’s Department of Health Care Management, said that health care spending should be regarded as a form of investment, rather than an expenditure, and emphasized that it is only prudent to invest in health. Taiwan Medical Association Chairman Chou Ching-ming said that his association will present the 2023 Taipei healthcare declaration to President Tsai Ing-wen with the hope of urging the government to increase investments into health to raise Taiwan’s global competitiveness and healthcare standards.

The content of the 2023 Taipei healthcare declaration is outlined in the following:

Increase health investment and Strengthen national competitiveness

We support the World Health Organization (WHO)’s assertion that “Health is an investment, not a cost” and “expenditure on health is an investment that enhances Quality of life, Happiness and Prosperity”, and we call on the government to achieve an increase in healthcare from 6.2 percent of GDP to more than 8 percent of GDP by 2028. Such an increase will elevate Taiwan’s level of health investment in line with international norms, strengthening national competitiveness, and accelerating Taiwan’s pursuit to become a healthcare, biotechnology innovation, and economic growth.

[2023-2-28/United Daily News]