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1 HEALTH IN TAIWAN 1

2 Building a people-first, healthy nation, and Expanding international health relations on humanitarian causes. During the deprived time of the 1960's, Taiwan received aids from many international, governmental and non-governmental organizations such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund, the US International Cooperation Agency, and the Rockefeller Foundation. Now with the efforts of the government, every citizen has the best health care. We are very proud to share the fruit of this success with every one of our friends who had aided us before. We are also very happy to show everyone our efforts in the past few decades. This photo album records the health and vitality in Taiwan. In the last 40 years, government and citizens alike are all working hard towards a healthier nation. The living standard and public health have improved, death rate has radically declined, and life expectancy has been prolonged. Literacy is as high as 95%, and the national health insurance covers more than 96% of the population. There are successful outcomes in maternal and child health, disease prevention, primary care, and quality of medical care systems. The Constitution of the World Health Organization states, 'The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.' Taiwan beholds this belief as well. We are willing to contribute whatever we could to create with everyone a better and healthier future together! Minister of the Department of Health, Taiwan, ROC

3 Formosa: the Beautiful Island "Ilha Formosa," or "beautiful island," the Portuguese sailors exclaimed when they first saw the primitive landscape of Taiwan in the early 17th century. The Republic of China in Taiwan is located in the Southeast Asia. Its subtropical monsoon climate fosters a splendid land of nature. The government and the people in the island have worked considerably hard over the past hundreds of years in turning the 35,980 square kilometers of once land of malaria into an island of health. The well-known UK Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) gave Taiwan a high evaluation in its 2000 survey that placed Taiwan the second healthiest among 27 major countries in the world. During the deprived time of the 1960's, Taiwan received aids from the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United States International Cooperation Agency, Rockefeller Foundation and other private organizations. These international, governmental and non-governmental organizations helped the island eradicate malaria and tuberculosis as well as promote maternal and child health. It has been 32 years since Taiwan was forced to relinquish its membership in the United Nations. Despite being shut out from the international community, the people in the island have always followed the Constitution of the WHO that declares, "The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition." Taiwan has made considerable achievements in carrying out family planning, control of communicable diseases, prevention and control of hepatitis B, national health insurance, and so on. The people in Taiwan enjoy health protection, low insurance premium and convenient medical care networks and the country's standard of health is arriving at the international level. Given the global cooperation in the prevention of diseases and international medical aids, Taiwan is certain to work closely with the WHO. Through the medical aids from the international community, Taiwan has established a firm foundation for public health, and its industrious people and prosperous economy have further made Taiwan into a list of developed countries. In order to show their gratefulness, Taiwanese people are willing to fulfill their duty in the international community, as the government and private sectors have continually offered their assistance in international activities of medical humanity and cooperation. During , Taiwan has injected more than US$100 millions into nearly 100 countries around the world, among which only 28 have formal diplomatic ties with the country. Taiwan's medical and aid systems are beyond the expectations of the international community. Take the earthquake that took place on September 21st, 1999 as an example. The island's emergency care and disease control systems duly took effect when the disaster occurred. Along with the advancement of the society and development in health and medical technologies, health and medical care in Taiwan are marching towards a new era. Taiwan, however, is always prepared, financially and technically, to support countries of the world in needs of aids. The spirit and goal of the WHO is to make those who suffer from pains never feel alone. As a part of the global village, Taiwan is opening its arms to embrace the world. 35,980 The Economist Intelligence Unit, EIU B WHO --- 3

4 A Life and Death Free of Worry Life and death in Taiwan is joyful and content, as one's entire life is protected by a comprehensive healthcare system. Since its inception in March 1995, the National Health Insurance has successfully incorporated in its payment systems important measures such as preventive healthcare, outpatient services, hospital care, home care, community rehabilitation and others to attain the goal of comprehensive healthcare for all. It has continually increased the coverage rate of medical care providers and the subscribers. Thus far, 97% of the population in the country is under the protection of this lifetime health insurance system. Pregnancy used to be a "life and death" issue in the time of our grandma's. As an old saying goes, "Chicken cooked in wine awaits a mother of safe delivery; a piece of wood (a coffin) is ready when the delivery is fatal", child delivery in the old days was like a journey to the gate of hell for women. Chicken in wine awaited mothers of safe delivery; while a coffin in four pieces of wood was for stillbirths or deaths. Birthday indeed was the mother's suffering day. With today's complete healthcare system, we almost forget that we have ever gone through a period of time when medical services were insufficient and dangerous. Most of the women in their pregnancy now enjoy ten free prenatal examinations and today's dedicated medical services guarantee the birth to a beautiful baby. Postnatal nutrition and care now is too good to worry. Moreover, the government gives special attention to every newborn baby that includes a series of immunizations against communicable diseases, genetic health screening, six free health examinations, and others, to protect the masters of the future and to remove the newly elevated parents from worries. "Six minutes protects your life!" The slogan of a prevailing advertisement shows that we do care about our female citizens by offering them free cervical smear examinations and menopause health care. For our beloved children, we offer them training in health fitness, nutritious school meals, regular health examinations, and health education. Our concern is to raise happy and healthy children for the eternal survival of human kinds. As to those who are above 40 years of age, we offer them free health examinations for the early detection and early treatment of diseases. We also encourage them to live a healthy life style and form a habit of regular exercise so as to prevent untimely chronic diseases from affecting the quality of their life. We also care about our senior citizens. They deserve a healthy and happy retired life after working so hard all their life % --- 4

5 National Health Insurance reaches every corner of Taiwan. The aborigines in the remote areas are cared for their medical needs, too. 5

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7 Infant mortality had declined from per thousand births in 1952 to 5.99 in Active medical care system is the big hand for little palm size angels

8 Complete prenatal care provides pregnant women with monitoring and counseling to potential health problems. 8

9 Body contact between mother and baby on the birth bed brings satisfaction and warmth to the mother. 9

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11 In Taiwan, fathers are encouraged to company their wives into delivery rooms to share the touching moment of new lives. The strategy of putting babies and mothers in the same room let the newborn babies feel the sense of safety of mothers cuddling them. 11

12 Infant and young children outpatient services are always the liveliest and warm corner of hospitals. Nurses are measuring height and weight of babies. 12

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14 Healthy children are the hopes of a nation in the future. We teach students the habit of brushing teeth after meals, and washing hands at any time to lower tooth decay rate and prevent diseases of the intestinal tracts. 14

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17 No matter they are in urban areas or countryside, children are always cared for their medical needs. Doctors visit schools regularly. School nurses give health education as well. 17

18 Children gather in the playground for exercise after class. Running on the playground is the happiest thing for students. 18

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20 We have designed school lunch. Children can enjoy safe and balanced lunch regardless of their economic conditions. 20

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23 We give students physical training during class breaks. We give our children a training of CPR at school, so someday they may use it to save a life. 23

24 People casually exercise in green shades in the park while offices are turned into fitness center when music sounds during break. 24

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27 There are spontaneous exercising groups almost in every park practicing Chi-gong. Road marathon in the Taroko National Park, people run on the edge of spectacular gorges. 27

28 Caring for senior citizens is a very important cultural tradition in Taiwanese society. The warmth of the society provides us with fearless old age. 28

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30 For the happy old age lives of senior citizens, the government and civil organizations organize learning programs and choirs for the elderly. 30

31 Foreign missionaries selflessly devote their lives caring for the elderly in Taiwan. 31