The National Taiwan University Hospital Jinshan Branch began construction on a long-term care facility this Thursday, holding a groundbreaking ceremony presided over by President Lai Ching-te (賴清德). Lai noted that Taiwan’s population aged 65 and over now exceeds 20%, officially marking its transition to a super-aged society. 

Since taking office, Lai has promoted a Healthy Taiwan initiative and a five-year Healthy Taiwan Deep Cultivation Plan. The initiatives aim to improve working conditions for medical personnel, cultivate diverse talent, integrate smart medical technology, and promote socially responsible, sustainable medicine.

Long-term Care Plan 3.0 is the government’s project to address the increasing pressures and workforce challenges associated with elderly care.

Lai said achieving the goals requires more than policies or hospital construction, emphasizing the importance of implementation. He said he hopes medical centers, regional hospitals, local clinics, and primary care clinics will collaborate to promote the Long-term Care Plan 3.0 to increase the number of service points and strengthen service quality.

Lai said, “I hope to connect homes, communities, hospitals, and clinics. Hospital discharge preparations and long-term care services, or the connections between clinics and regional hospitals, should all be integrated. This is the concrete content of the Long-term Care Plan 3.0.”

The president thanked New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) for promoting the long-term care policy, noting that the number of centers providing the care in the city has increased from 60 in 2016 to 1,887 this year, a 31-fold increase.