Premier Jiang Yi-huah today heard a Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) report on its senior-friendly care services program, after which the premier said the recent government reorganization that brought medical care and social welfare functions under the MOHW will create a synergy of integrated services for the elderly.
The senior care program involves teamwork among central and local governments as well as coordination between public and private sectors. When planning strategies and policies, the MOHW should broaden participation and invite the private sector to contribute resources, Jiang instructed. The ministry should also establish a supervisory mechanism to evaluate the progress of implementing agencies on a quarterly basis, resolving problems as they arise to maximize the program's efficacy.
Due to rapid aging of the population, Taiwan is projected to become a super-aged society around 2025 when 20 percent of the population will be 65 or older. In order to create a supportive living environment for this group of citizens, the government launched the first phase of the senior care program in 2009 and has already attained fruitful results.
With assistance from Minister without Portfolio Joyce Feng, the MOHW has broadened the inflow of private resources and accumulated valuable experiences under the program, Jiang said. Over the next three years, the ministry will infuse more than NT$20.7 billion (US$698 million) to promote 23 action plans and 84 subprojects. The premier hopes all related agencies will step up their efforts to support these initiatives.