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Pediatricians demand better working conditions

As the nation becomes a low birth-rate society, not only is the number of newborn babies decreasing but also the number of pediatricians, statistics released by the Child Health Promotion Society on Saturday showed.

At a workshop on the plight of children's medical care under the national health insurance system, doctors urged the government to guarantee pediatricians' working conditions and boost the birth rate.

"Young people are not willing to be pediatricians because it's a difficult and unprofitable profession," said Lu Hong-zi, the director of Saint Mary's Hospital in Ilan County.

Lu said the medical benefits for pediatricians are insufficient, especially since there are many medical disputes, such as malpractice suits, in the pediatric field.

Lu said in 2001 there were approximately 6 million children in Taiwan, but by 2006 the number had dropped to 5.4 million.

During the same period, the number of new resident doctors in pediatrics dropped from 194 to 139.

At present, the mortality rate of minors is double or even triple that in Europe and the US.

To narrow the gap, Lu suggested that the government raise the medical benefits budget for the medical care of children, enact laws that better look after expectant mothers and children and increase the number of vaccinations in childhood.
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