Taipei – A government-run mental health support program, launched earlier this year, has already helped more than 20,000 individuals, President William Lai announced on Monday during the second meeting of the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee. The program is part of a broader effort to promote mental resilience in the face of a rapidly evolving society.
In his opening remarks, President Lai highlighted the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s ongoing implementation of policies discussed in previous committee meetings. One notable initiative is the establishment of three artificial intelligence (AI) centers last month, aimed at ensuring the responsible use of AI in medical services. These centers will focus on validating AI-powered medical products, assessing National Health Insurance (NHI) reimbursements for AI-based services, and ensuring their accountability in the healthcare system.
Lai emphasized the importance of mental health, quoting the World Health Organization (WHO) statement: “There is no health without mental health.” In response, the government has committed to increasing investments in mental health services, including expanding the scope of its mental support program. Originally targeted at individuals aged 15 to 30, the program now includes those aged 31 to 45. Since its inception three months ago, it has provided assistance to over 20,000 people.
Despite these advances, Lai acknowledged that much work remains to be done in building national mental resilience. He stressed the need for continued government collaboration with the private sector to ensure that every individual receives the support they need.
Cancer Remains Leading Cause of Death
Addressing public health challenges beyond mental health, Lai noted that cancer has remained Taiwan’s leading cause of death for 42 consecutive years. In response, the government aims to reduce the standardized cancer mortality rate by one-third by 2030. To meet this ambitious goal, Lai emphasized the need to improve both screening and therapeutic methods.
Government-subsidized cancer screenings for five types of cancer—colon, cervical, breast, lung, and stomach—reached 4.87 million individuals in 2023, resulting in the identification of approximately 11,000 cancer cases and 52,000 precancerous cases. In light of these figures, Lai announced that the government will increase the cancer screening budget by NT$4 billion (US$123 million) next year, raising the total to NT$6.8 billion to expand the program’s scope.
Additionally, a NT$5 billion budget will be allocated for the creation of a new fund to support the development of new cancer medications. Lai noted that the fund would eventually grow to NT$10 billion, aiming to ease the financial burden on cancer patients by subsidizing the cost of innovative treatments.
Promoting Precision Medicine
Lai also highlighted the government’s push for personalized healthcare, announcing that next-generation sequencing would be included in NHI reimbursements as part of efforts to advance precision medicine. This initiative is designed to facilitate tailored therapeutic strategies that better meet the needs of individual patients.
“By broadening the scope of cancer screenings and improving therapeutic options, we aim to make the Taiwanese population healthier,” Lai concluded.
Plans for Mental Health Support Expansion
Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Lin Ching-yi outlined additional steps to enhance the nation’s mental health services. Among the initiatives under consideration is the potential introduction of mental health leave for public servants, particularly those working in high-stress fields such as the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of the Interior.
Lin also announced plans to construct specialized mental health wards for teenagers and children, as well as to develop new procedures for the medical referral of high-risk students in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
In a bid to further expand access to mental health support, Lin revealed that the mental health program would soon target additional vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, cancer patients, and family caregivers. The government aims to triple the program’s capacity in the coming years.
Finally, Lin confirmed that the government would increase its subsidy for addiction therapies related to drug and alcohol abuse, with the goal of tripling service capacity by 2028. The budget for psychological hygiene research will also be expanded threefold by that time, she said.
The government’s ongoing initiatives reflect a commitment to addressing the growing need for comprehensive mental and physical health support across Taiwan.
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