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04 Health Care 04
care transport were formed, covering 90% of were successfully procured through joint bidding.
cities and counties nationwide, and completing Additionally, assistance was provided for the
173 pediatric critical care transfers. Furthermore, importation or special manufacturing application of
a platform for challenging pediatric diagnoses was 20 specific projects.
established, with 10 teleconsultation sites (including
Section 4 Hospice and Palliative Care and
remote islands), assisting 23 children in making
diagnoses or treatment plans. Patient Autonomy
2. Implemented the "Perinatal Care Network 1. Beginning in 2006, a special project has been
Program," with ten hospitals forming regional urging medical care institutions and the general
perinatal care networks in 2022. These networks public to participate in hospice and palliative care,
provided care coverage for 12 counties and cities, while encouraging NHI Enrolled persons to record
and offered emergency blood dispatch within the consent on their NHI IC cards. As of the end of
network, intensive care for high-risk pregnancies 2022, a total of 884,804 people, accounting for
and newborns, and successfully completed 120 3.8% of the total population, documented their
referrals for high-risk pregnancies and 244 neonatal willingness to receive hospice and palliative care,
transfers. In addition, three hospital Implemented along with their wishes concerning life-sustaining
the open hospital model, facilitating the collaborative treatment. Each person's choice was recorded on
care of 33 pregnant women by both hospital and his/her NHI IC card (Figure 4-2).
primary care clinic physicians, ensuring smooth
2. In an effort to safeguard patients' dignity and
deliveries.
rights to a good death, the "Patient Right to
3. The "Enhancement of Pediatric Emergency Medical Autonomy," the first specialized in Asia, was officially
Care Quality and Resource Integration Program" implemented on January 6, 2019. This law allows
was continued in 2022. It provided subsidies to mentally capable individuals to exercise their
moderate to high-level responsibility hospitals in autonomy by making choices regarding medical
remote counties and cities to offer 24-hour medical care through "advance care planning" and prepare
services for pediatric patients with injuries and his advance decision in the form of a prior written
illnesses. This program was integrated with the
and signed statement, thereby ensuring his rights
"Perinatal Care Network Program," ensuring that
to a good death. As of the end of 2022, a total
each county and city in the country had at least
of 43,466 declarants have signed their advance
one hospital capable of providing 24-hour medical
decision and registered their decision on their NHI
services for pediatric patients. A total of 14 hospitals
IC cards.
in 14 counties and cities implemented this program.
Section 5 Oral Health Care
4. The Project of Holistic Physicians for Young Children
was expanded to 10 counties/cities in 2021-2022. 1. Promoting Oral Healthcare Throughout Various Life
Pediatricians (and family medication doctors) are Stages
primary care providers for children under three (1) In 2022, the "Guidelines for Dental Preventive
years of age, providing health management such Care Services Provided by Medical Service
as preventive health care, vaccination, home visits, Institutions" were revised to enhance the
screening and referrals. In 2022, 428 clinics and community-based fluoride application services
hospitals (including 733 doctors) participated in the
for children with special needs. This initiative
project and took care of 91,332 children, with a
provided free fluoride application every six
national coverage rate of 19.1%.
months for children under 6 years old, and every
5. Dispatch Center for Essential Drugs and Medical three months for children under 12 years old
Supplies hard to access for children was from low-income households, individuals with
established. The expert advisory committee disabilities, indigenous communities, remote
confirmed the list, which includes 28 Drugs and areas, and outlying islands. Approximately 1.06
47 medical supplied in 2022. By the end of 2022, million individuals were served, with a utilization
a total of 42 medications and medical supplies rate of 79.0% for children under 6 years old
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