Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences
Volume 24, Issue 11 , Pages 563-567, November 2008

Advances in Health Care in Taiwan: Lessons for Developing Countries

  • John R. Watt

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence and reprint requests to: Dr John R. Watt, The ABMAC Foundation, 3656 Johnson Avenue, Suite 2B, Riverdale, NY 10463, USA

The ABMAC Foundation, Riverdale, New York, USA

Received 24 December 2008; accepted 29 December 2008.

Article Outline

Taiwan's health services, now among the best in the world, were largely developed after 1947 under conditions of epidemiological and political crisis. Its medical, nursing, and public health leaders knew the importance of focusing on preventive health strategies, and its central government leaders knew how important health care was to the achievement of economic goals. Although there were from time to time setbacks and difficulties, the leadership learned from their mistakes and made effective use of international advice and resources. Taiwan's record makes the case that modernization of health care contributes to economic development and should not be viewed solely as a budgetary cost. Its record provides a mine of information for countries seeking to develop health services compatible with sustained economic and social development.

Key Words:  demographic , epidemiological , model , preventive health , state medicine

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References 

  1. In:  Watt JR editors. Health Care and National Development in Taiwan, 1950–2000 . New York: The ABMAC Foundation; 2008;
  2. Bennett IL . Chapter 31—Current health issues in the Republic of China: 1986 and forward . In:  Watt JR editors. Health Care and National Development in Taiwan, 1950–2000 . New York: The ABMAC Foundation; 2008;p. 216–222
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PII: S1607-551X(09)70017-8

doi:10.1016/S1607-551X(09)70017-8

Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences
Volume 24, Issue 11 , Pages 563-567, November 2008

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