Taiwan is set to enter a super-aged society next year. According to Chung-Liang Shih, the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA), chronic diseases among the elderly represent a significant burden on the healthcare system. To address this, the NHIA plans to incorporate Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) into the Family Physician Program starting next year, allowing TCM practitioners to serve as primary care physicians for patients. The goal is to bring over one million patients with hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol—who currently do not have a regular physician for follow-up care—into a structured care network.
Considering TCM’s Effectiveness in Managing Hypertension, Diabetes, and High Cholesterol
Shih noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the number of patients visiting Western medicine departments significantly declined, TCM saw a sharp rise, with the TCM remedy "Qing Guan No. 1" proving effective in saving many lives. According to NHIA statistics, the number of TCM clinics in Taiwan grew from 3,728 in 2019 with 6,838 licensed TCM physicians to 3,965 clinics with 7,642 physicians last year. The annual number of patient visits to TCM services now exceeds 44 million.
Incorporating Over a Million Patients Without Regular Care into the Healthcare Network
This year, the NHIA upgraded the Family Physician Integrated Care Program to the Family Physician Program, with a stronger focus on chronic disease management. Shih highlighted that Taiwan has around two million diabetic patients, with an annual hospitalization rate of about 3%, equating to around 60,000 patients. The Family Physician Program offers physicians incentives for providing case management to reduce hospitalization rates. Given TCM’s demonstrated efficacy in managing blood pressure and blood sugar levels, TCM will be integrated into the program next year.
Shih explained that there are currently around five million people in Taiwan with hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol, with over one million of them lacking regular medical follow-up. These patients generally receive lower-quality care compared to those already in the care network. With the proven effectiveness of certain TCM treatments and the preference of some patients for TCM, it is hoped that incorporating TCM into the Family Physician Program will help improve care for these patients.
Yung-Chao Chan, Chairman of the Taiwan Medical Association of TCM, stated that TCM is skilled in health preservation and maintenance. It has shown clear benefits in managing chronic kidney disease, supporting cancer treatment by reducing side effects, and preventing disease progression, thereby reducing the financial burden on Taiwan’s healthcare system.
Resource (mandarin): 迎超高齡化社會 中醫明年納大家醫計畫
