A local ophthalmology group called on the government yesterday to refrain from opening the nation’s medical service sector to Chinese medical professionals because the market is already saturated.
The group made the statement in response to China’s request that its medical service industry be included on the “early harvest list” for favorable market access treatment under an economic cooperation framework agreement (ECFA) that is expected to be signed soon between Taiwan and China.
At an ophthalmology seminar, Chang Chao-kai (張朝凱), secretary-general of the Taiwan Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, said the government should not allow Chinese physicians or other medical experts to work in Taiwan.
Taiwan’s medical market is saturated, while demand for medical services is high in China, therefore, Chinese physicians should focus on their home market, Chang said.
Perhaps in five to 10 years, Chinese medical professionals could be allowed to practice in Taiwan if they can demonstrate their ability to provide quality care to patients in China, he said.
In the meantime, academic exchanges in the medical field could be conducted between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, he said.
Regarding China’s plan to allow Taiwanese medical institutions to operate in China, Chang said that about 10 major players in Taiwan’s medical industry have agreed to jointly set up a hospital in a biotech park in Pudong, Shanghai, in the next two to three years.
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