A pilot telemedicine program by the Ministry of Health and Welfare launched on Monday, to provide medical care to patients right at their homes. The program allows people with disabilities and nursing home residents to see doctors remotely and get emergency care for infectious diseases. President Lai Ching-te on Tuesday headed to a hospital to inspect the system, where he reiterated his commitment to strengthening healthcare in Taiwan.

President Lai Ching-te is back again as Dr. Lai. On Tuesday, he inspected the launch of a pilot telemedicine program and he himself hopped on the computer to check up on his patient, a resident at a nursing home.

The conversation with Lai brought tears to the man’s eyes. During the inspection, Lai talked about his past experience as a young doctor.

Lai Ching-te
President
Back when I was a resident physician, I also hosted a show at a local TV station about medical care. Sometimes I would also offer free check-ups in the community. Though I was just a resident physician, I did garner some fame in Tainan, so sometimes, patients who had been ill for a long time would come to see me. Back then I would wonder if there could be a way to treat them from home, rather than have them come all the way to the hospital.

The program allows people with reduced mobility and disabilities, and residents at care institutions, to see a doctor via the internet from their residence and get emergency medical treatment for infectious diseases. The program cuts down on travel to medical facilities, while saving medical resources.

Lai Ching-te
President
After joining this program, doctors are required to visit the patient within three days, and nurses have to make visits daily. There is staff on-call 24 hours. During the day, nurses answer the phone, and at night, family doctors are on duty. This arrangement is even more comprehensive than that of regular medical services. If hospitalization is necessary, hospitals will set aside a bed for the patient, who’ll be taken straight in without having to go through the emergency room. They also won’t have to ask a lawmaker to plead for them to be admitted.

One of Lai’s key campaign promises was focused on healthcare in Taiwan. He had pledged to establish three major committees on the matter after assuming office and one of them is set to launch in late August. The move shows his commitment to healthcare in Taiwan.

Lai Ching-te
President
As a member of the medical community serving as president I hope to do things differently from my predecessors. I want to do more for our people on the front of health and wellness. I want our people to be healthy.

As Taiwan’s first doctor-turned-president, Lai hopes to use his expertise to strengthen healthcare.

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