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International medical centers proving value: premier

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Since the establishment of international medical centers at international airports has clearly increased the number of people enjoying these services in Taiwan and the industry's output value without influencing the medical rights of ROC citizens, there is a convincing basis for taking this part of the free economic pilot zone (FEPZ) program into its second phase, Premier Jiang Yi-huah stated at today's Cabinet meeting.

Jiang instructed the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) and other relevant agencies to keep promoting the program together and to perform a sophisticated review of the mechanism's operations and regulations.

Five medical centers have been established in Taiwan's major international airports since the government promoted the first phase of the FEPZ program in 2013 to attract more ethnic Chinese to return for medical care and health checks, the premier noted after listening to the MOHW's report on international medical services, one of the target industries of the FEPZ program.

In addition, the five medical centers have cooperated with many local hospitals and clinics to attract international tourists to come to Taiwan for medical services and sightseeing.

Jiang pointed out that Taiwan's medical services enjoy a high reputation in the international community and that the country's health care industries are ready to boom as society rapidly ages. The government should thus strengthen efforts to connect with the international community while upholding an open-minded attitude and steady pace, Premier Jiang said, on the premise that taking care of Taiwanese citizens and safeguarding their medical rights remain first and foremost.

The second phase of promoting international medical services will be officially launched after the legislature approves the special act for FEPZs. The premier urged the MOHW and other agencies to focus on communication with legislative caucuses and civil groups, try their best to resolve the public's concerns, and win support for the program.

Clarifying what he called one of the most common misconceptions about FEPZs—that once Taiwan opens its health care services to international customers, domestic patients will be deprived of doctors and medical resources—Jiang reassured the public that the number of doctors to serve foreign patients will account for less than 1 percent of total doctors.

The premier also stressed that the FEPZs provide more than just medical treatment. For instance, an international health industry park planned by the MOHW focuses primarily on health care fields, including health examinations, cosmetic surgeries, medical devices and biopharmaceuticals, while medical treatment is only a secondary focus.

The creation of the industry park will not affect citizens' medical rights and will generate more production value and job opportunities while improving the country's medical services, Jiang said. Health industries tailored to a graying society, such as rehabilitation centers, health preservation and senior care and services, are to become emerging industries. The FEPZs, hence, enable trial runs of new industries to benefit Taiwan.

According to MOHW officials, over 90 percent of overseas patients to Taiwan have expressed satisfaction with the country's overall medical tourism services, patient confidentiality, detailed instructions prior to treatment and medical staff's professional expertise. Under the program that encourages ethnic Chinese to receive medical care in Taiwan, 2,341 patients in 115 groups had come to the country as of June 2014.

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