TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The government aims to implement a general practitioner system, encouraging residents to seek treatment in their communities, according to the health minister on Thursday (Dec. 12). The government has been promoting the concept of "major illnesses to large hospitals, minor illnesses to small hospitals," emphasizing that tiered medical care saves both time and money.
However, the public's non-compliance has led to persistent congestion in medical center emergency rooms. Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) noted that the reform of tiered medical care is a consensus, with the key being to bring residents back to their communities for treatment. He stressed that the spirit of tiered medical care is to guide patients to the grassroots level, stating that medical resource allocation is the most challenging task.
Regarding National Health Insurance Administration (健保署) Director General Shih Liang's (石崇良) proposal to restart the reduction of outpatient services in large hospitals, Chiu emphasized the need to consider regional differences in medical resources. He advocated for tailored approaches and strengthening public health education to reduce the mindset of "seeking large hospitals for minor ailments."
The government has been actively promoting tiered medical care for several years. However, changing the public's deeply ingrained habits takes work and requires the joint efforts of all medical units and residents. Chiu stressed that the Ministry of Health and Welfare (衛福部) will incorporate opinions from all sectors for discussion, with the most crucial consideration being "standing from the perspective of the people."