TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The National Health Insurance Administration said National Taiwan University Hospital reported 105 people on its admission waitlist as of Sunday afternoon, with officials saying the situation is expected to improve by mid-March.
Some major hospitals in Taiwan are reporting long admission waitlists, the administration said. NTUH had the highest number of people waiting, followed by Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital with 85 and Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital with 72, per CNA.
The administration said emergency visits at most major hospitals stayed stable during the Lunar New Year holiday, but bed waitlists rose significantly at some hospitals afterward.
Chiang Kuan-yu (姜冠宇), a physician at Taipei City Hospital, said the long admission waitlists are mainly caused by challenges faced by seniors in Taiwan’s aging society, including limited post-discharge care, difficulties managing medications, and reduced mobility.
He added that these issues often lead to seniors returning for follow-up visits or readmission shortly after discharge. Hospital staffing is also reduced during the Lunar New Year holiday, which can delay some discharge procedures.
Chiang urged the government to better integrate follow-up care and long-term care services to reduce emergency cases. He also called on hospitals to identify seniors, frequent health care users, and those who are disabled or living alone as high-priority cases for enhanced care.
Chiang highlighted that social workers and long-term care services after discharge are key to stabilizing seniors’ physical and mental well-being.
Hospitals should also arrange follow-up visits, rehabilitation, and home care to strengthen support after discharge, Chiang added. Medical teams can also explain symptoms that need urgent attention and those that can be temporarily monitored at home.
Huang Hsien-hao (黃獻皞), director of the emergency department at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, praised the health ministry’s initiative encouraging some hospitals and clinics to offer outpatient services during the holiday. He said the measure helped ease emergency room congestion during this year’s Lunar New Year holiday.
