TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Deputy Health Minister Lue Jen-der (呂建德) recently traveled to Germany to study its experience in family and childcare support policies.

Lue led a delegation to Germany from Oct. 11-15, meeting with officials including, Stephan Pilsinger, deputy chair of the parliament’s Committee on Health; Georg Kippels, parliamentary state secretary at the Federal Ministry of Health, and Michael Brand, parliamentary state secretary at the Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare. 

In his talks with Pilsinger, Lue shared Taiwan’s “Healthy Taiwan” policy and ongoing health insurance reform efforts. They also discussed potential cooperation in telemedicine. 

During his meeting with Kippels, Lue thanked Germany for its continuous support for Taiwan. The two officials agreed to bolster cooperation in smart healthcare and disease surveillance.

Brand told Lue that Germany has implemented parental allowances and childcare subsidies and guarantees the right to childcare for children under the age of three. However, he said that there needs to be expanded coverage of childcare services. The MOHW said exchanges with the family affairs ministry offered valuable insights on tackling low birth rates, long-term care workforce development, and employment policies for women and seniors.

Taiwan is planning to establish a dedicated agency for children and youth, and can learn from Germany’s experience, as it addresses challenges such as population decline and child abuse, MOHW said.