TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has announced the implementation of the "Project of Holistic Physicians for Young Children" starting from Nov. 1.
This project aims to provide a pediatrician to every newborn child who will offer all health consultations until the child reaches three years of age.
However, some pediatricians are concerned about the new system and the additional workload it may bring. The current administrative procedures are complicated, and answering parental inquiries can be more time-consuming than patient consultations.
Some doctors fear that the subsidy of up to NT＄1,500 per child is too low, and the workload of caring for up to 300 children per doctor could affect their willingness to participate.
Pediatricians believe that the compensation is inadequate and unattractive.
They explain that they need a dedicated person to track each child's progress and collect relevant data, which takes time to organize and sort out.
Huang Li-hsin, assistant secretary-general of the Taiwan Pediatric Association, explained that the subsidy is not enough from a pediatrician's perspective.
The MOHW has allocated a budget of NT＄2 billion annually for this initiative to enhance childcare and reduce the burden on parents caring for children under three years old.
However, there is a need to increase incentives to encourage more doctors to participate and provide solutions to make the process more efficient.