The demographic aging of Penghu has accelerated even more than that of Taiwan proper, and more medical resources must be devoted to Penghu, Premier Lin Chuan stated today while inspecting the Ministry of Health and Welfare's (MOHW) Penghu Hospital.
Safeguarding the citizenry's basic living standards is the government's responsibility, and medical care is a major issue for the offshore islands, Lin emphasized. The administration aims to set up extensive health care mechanisms and organizations for the elderly, and to make the offshore islands' medical services even more comprehensive.
The premier visited Penghu Hospital to get a firsthand understanding of its development and needs and to boost the morale of its hardworking personnel.
Since the establishment of the hospital's cardiovascular photography room, the number of patients sent to Taiwan proper has dramatically decreased, as local treatment capabilities have improved. This is an example of effective medical development that reduces local residents' inconvenience and suffering, the premier said.
Lin reiterated that the medical capacities of Penghu Hospital and Tri-Service General Hospital Penghu Branch are still insufficient. The MOHW hopes to make use of the external collaboration mechanisms of National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Chi Mei Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital and other medical centers to pool medical resources in order to further raise the quality of Penghu's medical care and address its deficiencies.
Lin hopes that in the future Penghu residents will enjoy more convenience in medical treatment whether it is in Penghu or Taiwan proper; however, the administration's objective is for residents to receive care locally so as to safeguard patients' quality of life.
Aside from increasing medical spending, the administration and general public must brainstorm on how to make Penghu Hospital even more attractive for residents and entice more publicly funded doctors to choose to work in Penghu, Lin said. He expects the MOHW to formulate more forward-looking measures to systematically improve and enhance the area's overall medical system.
As this is Lin's first trip to Penghu, he also visited Penghu Tienhou temple, which is the foremost of Penghu's three major temples as well as the most ancient Ma Zu temple in all of Taiwan. He prayed for national prosperity and peace, favorable weather and thriving businesses, and chatted with locals and tourists at the temple area.