A documentary on the nation’s medical achievements will be aired worldwide early next year, the Department of Health (DOH) said yesterday.
The 60-minute film, the first of its kind, will showcase the country’s healthcare system and give insights into its potential for developing medical tourism, Department of Health Minister Chiu Wen-ta (邱文達) said at a press conference held jointly with the National Geographic Channel, which will broadcast the documentary.
“We have a good medical system worth showing to the world,” Chiu said.
Saying that Taiwan’s health infrastructure has been highly ranked in various international surveys, Chiu cited Paul Krugman, a Nobel laureate, who praised the country’s national health insurance (NHI) scheme as one of the most successful in the world. The NHI was established in 1995 and its insured rate now exceeds 99 percent.
With more than 83 percent of citizens satisfied with the program, the health minister added that the country’s success in health insurance has become an international point of reference.
Taiwan’s Medical Miracles will also discuss the nation’s moves to develop medical tourism. More than 15,000 foreigners visited Taiwan for health checks, cosmetic treatment and surgery last year, creating an output value of NT$3.8 billion (US$132 million).
“The documentary is a great story about medicine, love, life and things we all care a great deal about,” said Ward Platt, president of Fox International Channels for the Asia-Pacific and Middle East.
Platt said the film would be completed by December and it is scheduled to be shown next spring in more than 30 countries, drawing an expected viewership of 200 million households.
“The goal is for the audience to get a chance to learn a lot about Taiwan’s medical advances and its efforts in medical tourism,” Platt said.
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