Dr. Shih Chung-Liang, the current Director-General of the NHIA, has been confirmed as the next Minister of Health and Welfare. Social welfare groups welcomed this appointment, citing his extensive experience in social welfare. They hope the incoming minister can reshape and strengthen the partnership between the government and civic groups. The Taiwan Healthcare Reform Foundation (THRF) called for the eradication of the culture of covering up sexual violence within healthcare institutions and for the protection of healthcare professionals’ labour rights.
The THRF stated that Dr. Shih has a solid background, with experience ranging from practicing clinical emergency care to planning health policies, and has collaborated with civic groups for many years. However, he will face significant challenges in his new role. There are many pressing issues, including improving the medical information inquiry system and supporting frontline healthcare workers. The THRF hopes Dr. Shih will be a problem-solving minister who prioritizes people’s welfare.
The THRF pointed out that Taiwan’s healthcare system is now on the brink of collapse. The demand for healthcare has risen sharply since the pandemic, and many healthcare professionals have left the system due to heavy workloads. Meanwhile, the NHI faces serious financial challenges. All of these issues are real and ongoing.
Hence, the THRF laid out three key expectations for Dr. Shih as the new MOHW Minister. The first is to address the system’s pressing problems. Dr. Shih will face challenges such as rising international drug prices, the impact of inflation on medical supplies, recurring drug shortages, substandard chronic disease care, a failing referral system, an increasing NHI deficit, outdated reimbursement standards, and the ongoing exploitation of healthcare professionals.
The THRF stressed that the society does not need a “make-up artist” who glosses over problems. Instead, they need a frank minister who identifies the issues, outlines how to address them, specifies the resources required, and sets realistic timelines for achieving targets. The new minister must also be willing to engage with various stakeholders and communicate with civic groups to help rebuild mutual trust.
The second expectation is to prioritize people’s best interests. The essence of healthcare and social welfare is “people care for people.” The authorities should not pursue “number management for efficiency.” The healthcare industry is labour- and knowledge-intensive, and the authorities should provide sufficient equipment, fair and supportive working conditions, and a payment system that truly reflects the value of care.
The third expectation is to have the courage to reform. The THRF emphasized the importance of distributive justice, noting that people expect a reformer who is willing to challenge existing unjust power structures and uphold social justice.
In addition to these expectations, the new minister must also address a range of pressing issues, including improving the medical information inquiry system, eliminating the culture of covering up sexual violence within the healthcare system, addressing nurse shortages and overwhelmed A&E services, monitoring the growing self-payment market, promoting supportive working conditions for healthcare professionals, protecting their labour rights, and restoring fairness to the NHI payment system.
【2025-08-27 / Liberty Times】
