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New medical visa scheme to target Chinese patients

Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) announced yesterday that the government's new "international medical service flagship program" would focus on five specialities initially and that applications for medical visas would be accepted from Aug. 1.

The project is "aimed at attracting overseas Taiwanese and mainland Chinese initially," an unnamed Cabinet official said.

Chang told yesterday morning's weekly Cabinet meeting that the program would focus on liver transplants, plastic surgery, cardiac surgery, artificial reproduction and artificial joint replacements.

"These five will be the first major medical services to be promoted because the nation's hospitals are well known for these services," he said.

"By implementing this program, we are hoping to kick start the tourism business and direct cross-strait flights," he said.

Chang said that Taiwanese physicians had achieved great success and the government was more than happy to promote their skills to the world.

"By helping foreign patients, we can promote Taiwan's image in the international community," he said.

He said the project was expected to attract 100,000 people in its first three years and would create about 3,500 jobs.

The visitors were expected to spend up to NT$7 billion (US$213 million) over the first three years, while attracting private investment totalling NT$6.8 billion, he said.

Council for Economic Planning and Development Chairwoman Ho Mei-yueh (何美玥) said Taiwan's hospitals offered quality medical services at reasonable prices and it would be a waste if the government did not promote them to "foreign friends."

"Our medical services may not be as cheap as those in countries such as Thailand and Malaysia. But Taiwanese physicians have developed a sound reputation throughout the world," Ho said.

She said the project would also combine medical services with tourism packages to attract more people.

"For instance, many foreigners undergo plastic surgery during their stay in Taiwan because these procedures are easy and simple. This is a potential business area we cannot miss out on," she said.

The program was designed by the Council for Economic Planning and Development and the Department of Health. Officials said the government would select 10 hospitals to provide the services.

Details of the medical visa applications, however, must still be worked out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Mainland Affairs Council and would be announced later, officials said.
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