Page 4 - 2023 Taiwan Health and Welfare Report

2023 Taiwan Health and Welfare Report

Preface

The COVID-19 pandemic continued to spread in 2022. However, with the increasing distribution of vaccines
and the emergence of less severe viral variants, the Ministry of Health and Welfare changed its focus from a strict
containment epidemic prevention policy to a strategic policy of coexistence. Drawing upon the wealth of experience
and adaptability gained from past challenges, we progressively embarked on a path towards easing pandemic
restrictions. Furthermore, guided by our vision to be "the most trustworthy ministry for the people," we remained
committed to continuously elevating healthcare professionalism, integrating and effectively allocating social welfare
resources, and aligning ourselves with the global health and welfare system.

Aging and low birth rates remain the most pressing issues facing Taiwan's population. The Ministry continues
to create a friendly parenting environment, providing ongoing assistance for infertility treatment, increasing child-
raising allowance, and daycare subsidies to alleviate the child-rearing burden on families. In April 2022, we
expanded the nationwide "Home Care Program for Low (including extremely low) Birth Weight Infants" to enhance
the quality of care. On the other hand, in response to an aged society, the Ministry is actively promoting age-
friendly and dementia-friendly environments. By the end of 2022, a total of 585 locations were established in various
counties and cities, offering health promotion courses for the elderly to ensure comprehensive and sustained
healthcare services. We also funded 40 community nutrition promotion centers and branch centers nationwide,
supporting communal dining venues and community food service providers to offer age-friendly dining services.
Our efforts further expanded to dementia prevention and friendly community initiatives, implementing policies to
"enhance public awareness and friendly attitudes towards dementia" and "reduce the risk of developing dementia."

In addition to safeguarding not only the elderly and young but also every individual across their entire lifespan,
we have been diligently cultivating a health-supportive environment. To this end, the Ministry continues to drive
amendments to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, effectively regulating novel nicotine and tobacco products.
Simultaneously, under the provisions of the Mental Health Act, we ensure the protection of patients' rights, offering
support and assistance to foster their integration into the community and promote the mental well-being of the
people. Furthermore, through the comprehensive implementation of the "Five-Point Food Safety Policy" and a range
of measures, such as the promotion of food business registration, intensified inspections and sampling, and more
stringent penalties, we have steadfastly enforced food safety policies. At the same time, we have taken great strides
in advancing Good Manufacturing Practices for pharmaceuticals, bolstering the monitoring of controlled drugs, and
elevating the quality management standards of traditional Chinese medicines, thereby fortifying the foundations of
medication safety. In 2022, the "Review Meeting of the ROC's Second Report under the Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities" in August and the "Review Meeting of the ROC's Second Report under the Convention
on the Rights of the Child" in November, were held in Taiwan and the international experts were invited to review the
reports. Their expertise promoted the effective implementation of these conventions in Taiwan, while the invaluable
insights from diverse stakeholders were warmly embraced.

We analyzed global pandemic trends while considering both epidemic resilience and economic activities. The
Ministry continues to promote COVID-19 vaccination, providing bivalent second-generation vaccines to the public.
We have implemented rolling adjustments to border quarantine and control measures. Residential and community-
based care institutions are provided with free rapid test kits, and regular screening measures have been extended to
reduce infection risks for vulnerable and high-risk populations. To strengthen economic security, we have increased
subsidies for low-income and middle-low-income households, benefiting over 620,000 people. With the goal of
"normalcy in daily life, proactive epidemic prevention, and stable opening," we have adjusted the home quarantine
close contacts, moderately relaxed mask regulations, and reduced restrictions on hospital visits, gradually moving
towards a phased reopening of daily life.

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