TAITUNG (TVBS News) — The Taitung County Government on Tuesday (Jan. 7) reported that the number of newborns increased by 91 in 2024 compared to 2023, making the county the only one in Taiwan with such growth. Taitung's Civil Affairs Department (民政處) highlighted that newborns reached 1,559 in 2024, up from 1,468 in 2023 and 1,405 in 2022. The department attributed this success to initiatives like free home-based childcare guidance, which has assisted approximately 2,000 mothers since 2020, accumulating 20,000 service hours.
The county government has also supported disadvantaged families by offering postpartum meal services to over 200 mothers. In 2024, they expanded this service to include prenatal needs, offering nursery planning and emotional support. This year, Taitung plans to launch a "Parenting Family Gathering" (育兒家庭見面會) to rejuvenate parents and delight babies through sharing and encouragement. Taitung's Social Affairs Department (社會處) has broadened childcare support policies by introducing "Fixed-point Temporary Care" for children under six. The TT Baby birthday gift program will also be upgraded, with plans to promote more workplace childcare spaces.
Taitung's Public Health Bureau (衛生局) launched a comprehensive eugenics health subsidy program in 2024, covering post-marriage pre-pregnancy check-ups, rare disease screenings for newborns, and a three-in-one vaccine. The Civil Affairs Department also increased the first-child childcare subsidy to NT$40,000, complemented by a pediatrician system and 24-hour pediatric emergency specialists for robust support.