A solution to this problem is readily available, in the form of alternative service. What is needed is to enlarge the categories of the program to include medical service. In fact, many rural areas of Taiwan, especially in the mountains and on outlaying islands, face serious shortages of medical personnel, which these young graduates should help fill.
Moreover, the overseas alternative service should be expanded to include medical volunteers, in addition to agricultural workers. If these two categories were created, there would no longer be any justification for medical students to avoid their obligations to serve their country. Indeed, their two years of service, far from being a waste of time, would be a valuable experience, boosting their professional development. Who knows? They might even start to learn the values that make good doctors!
Bo Tedards
Taipei
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