Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic nearly six months ago, data compiled by the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) shows that the number of medical consultations has been falling. Between January and March, the number of visits to Western medicine clinics fell 7.4 percent year-on-year, representing the steepest decline among medical institutions of all scales.

NHIA Deputy Director General Tsai Shu-ling said that between January and March, the number of visits to Western medicine clinics fell by 5.12 million compared to a year ago. Of which, 81 percent of the decline had occurred in March. The pace of decline became more obvious in April, with visits to hospitals falling 18.6 percent year-on-year based on usage data of National Health Insurance cards. The decline in medical consultations coincide with the progression of the pandemic, which peaked in March and April. In March, Taiwan saw a rise in imported COVID-19 cases from returning travelers originating from the U.S. and Europe, while a case of cluster infection on a naval vessel had occurred in April.

Taking a closer look at the decline in number of consultations across different medical departments, Deputy Director General Tsai said that otolaryngology clinics, pediatrics and general internal medicine clinics were most affected, due to concerns that invasive procedures could lead to higher contagion risks. At the same time, observance of public health protocols such as frequent washing of hands has helped in lowering the number of enterovirus and diarrhea cases.

Among medical departments, some saw the number of visits rise, such as psychiatry and dermatology due to elevated pandemic anxieties and skin irritation from wearing face masks and frequent handwashing.

Deputy Director General Tsai said that despite sharp declines in the number of visits to Wester medicine clinics, clinics made up 67.39 percent of total medical consultations between January and March, recording an year-on-year increase of 2.04 percent. During the same period, local hospitals made up 10.41 percent of visits, up 0.78 percent year-on-year, while regional hospitals and medical centers recorded declines of 1.4 percent and 1.42 percent respectively. This show that the public have been visiting smaller-scaled medical institutions amid the NHIA’s efforts at promoting the referral system, which has not been affected by the pandemic.

[2020-05-25/ China Times]