MOHW defends medical tourism program amid dental clinic probe

Taipei, April 25 (CNA) The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) on Thursday defended its medical tourism program after the owner of a dental clinic was questioned on suspicion of helping 600 Chinese nationals enter Taiwan illegally.

During a legislative session, Kuo Wei-chung (郭威中), an official at the MOHW's Department of Medical Affairs, told lawmakers that irregularities have only been found at three institutions, including the dental clinic, among the 129 that have applied for medical tourism visas and entry permits.

Kuo added that only 28 disease categories -- such as end-stage renal disease and lymphatic system disorders -- currently qualify for medical tourism applications.

The MOHW and the National Immigration Agency subsequently revised the program's criteria so that only those with acute and severe issues can visit Taiwan for dental treatment, Kuo said.

The program, first introduced in 2007, is designed to attract international tourists to receive healthcare services in Taiwan.

On Wednesday, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office summoned 10 individuals for questioning in connection with the alleged illegal entry of Chinese nationals into Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One of those questioned, a Taipei dental clinic owner surnamed Pan (潘), is accused of submitting falsified treatment plans to help 600 Chinese nationals register as medical visitors between December 2022 and May 2023.

Prosecutors alleged that many of the Chinese nationals subsequently engaged in illegal tourism and sex work in Taiwan.

According to Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源), the MOHW barred Pan's clinic from participating in its medical tourism program on May 17, 2023, a suspension that remains in place.

When asked why it had taken nearly two years since authorities placed administrative penalties on Pan's clinic for suspects to be brought in for questioning, prosecutors told CNA that they had only recently collected enough evidence.

Later on Thursday, Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑), deputy head and spokesperson of the Mainland Affairs Council, said there were no issues with the current regulations governing entry permits for Chinese nationals to enter Taiwan, or with the review process.

He said irregularities can be identified when an unusually high number of applications are submitted by a single clinic, citing Pan's case as an example, which was spotted during the review process.