Taiwan’s Health Ministry outlines emergency response to hospital congestion
Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare has introduced three short-term response strategies to ease hospital congestion: optimizing bed allocation, enhancing regional hospital coordination, and improving hierarchical medical information. Additionally, the ministry is reviewing adjustments to health insurance benefits and reinforcing nursing workforce preparedness.
The Taiwan Association of Emergency Medicine recently warned that emergency departments are facing unprecedented congestion this year. If the issue persists, it could lead to a large-scale resignation of emergency medical staff.
At an interim press conference, Health Minister Dr. Tai-Yuan Chiu n acknowledged the crisis, citing three key factors: the extended nine-day Spring Festival holiday, a surge in acute infectious diseases—including influenza-like illnesses and norovirus—exacerbated by a cold snap, and ongoing nursing shortages despite workforce retention efforts. These factors have strained hospital resources, reducing ward capacity.
In response, the health ministry held meetings in February to discuss immediate measures. Short-term plans include improving hospital bed dispatch in medical centers, strengthening regional hospital coordination, and enhancing public awareness of tiered medical care options.
For medium- and long-term reforms, Chiu conveyed the continued efforts to expand the nursing workforce and improve working conditions through various incentive programs. The government is also encouraging medical centers to allocate more resources to acute and critical care. Additionally, discussions are underway regarding adjustments to the health insurance payment system to further mitigate hospital congestion.
Regarding emergency department bed availability, Liu Yueping, Director of Medical Affairs, reported that as of February 10, five hospitals, namely, Linkou Chang Gung, Kaohsiung Chang Gung, National Taiwan University Hospital, Yongkang Chimei, and Gao Yi, each had over 100 patients waiting for beds.
As part of broader workforce stabilization efforts, Liu noted that since March 1 last year, Taiwan has implemented a three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio system. Over the past three months, compliance rates have varied: 37%-59% at medical centers, 37%-49% at regional hospitals, and approximately 85%-94% at district hospitals. The primary reason for non-compliance at larger hospitals is difficulty meeting night shift standards. To address this, the government has allocated NT$6.685 billion in public funds to retain hospital nursing staff.
Additionally, a new policy requires local health bureaus to independently monitor changes in nursing manpower and bed adjustments at county and city hospitals. To further improve bed allocation, from February 13 to March 15, the Health Insurance Department will allow flexible conversion of specialized hospital beds into general-use beds.
Source: CNA/Focus Taiwan
