NHIA head Shih Chung-liang appointed health minister

Taipei, Aug. 27 (CNA) The Executive Yuan on Wednesday announced that current National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) Director-General Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) has been appointed health and welfare minister following a Cabinet reshuffle.

Meanwhile, current Centers for Disease Control Director General Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) will serve as deputy health and welfare minister.

The Cabinet expressed hope that Shih and Chuang would advance the "Healthy Taiwan" policy with their professionalism and communication skills, noting that they had laid a strong foundation for disease prevention for Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic and effectively informed the public about its developments.

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Responding to the appointment, Chu Yi-hung (朱益宏), chairman of the Taiwan Community Hospital Association, told the press that he thought the arrangement very fitting and praised Shih's abilities.

On the sidelines of a press event, Chu said Shih had served in the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) as head of the Department of Medical Affairs, deputy health minister, and chief of the NHIA, giving him extensive familiarity with Taiwan's health policies.

Chu expressed hopes that Shih will actively promote reform of Taiwan's tiered medical care system, in order to fully utilize the functions of primary health care institutions and relieve the imbalance of medical resources in Taiwan.

The current shortage of nursing professionals and overcrowding of emergency rooms both stem from inadequate implementation of the tier system, he said.

Chu pointed out that Shih's first challenge after taking office will be negotiating the National Health Insurance (NHI) payment budget for 2026 at the end of September.

He expressed hopes that Shih will be able to continue current Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan's (邱泰源) policy direction of "health is an investment," securing NT$70-80 billion (US$2.29-2.61 billion) for the NHI budget in 2025.

The Taiwan College of Healthcare Executive Chairman Hung Tzu-ren (洪子仁) said that Shih's past performances in medical and public health domains showed pragmatic, professional and steady leadership qualities.

In a text statement to the press, Hung lauded Shih's familiarity with medical policies, the industry and the pressures faced by frontline personnel, as well as his determination in reforming the medical insurance payment systems and medical resource distribution.

He hoped that Shih would tackle three challenges currently faced by Taiwan's medical system: tariff impacts for drugs, NHI reformation and sustainability, and optimizing the working environment for medical professionals.

The Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists Associations Chairman Huang Chin-shun (黃金舜) told the press via a telephone interview that Shih was familiar with issues, including the nursing shortage, drug shortage and the NHI budget, expressing the belief that he could solve them.

Anna Yin (殷為瑩), head of public affairs at the Taiwan Generic Pharmaceutical Association, said in a text statement that during Shih's tenure as NHIA chief, he listened to the needs of medical professionals and patients, maintained open communication with the industry, and proposed several drug price reforms, demonstrating professionalism, creativity, and openness.

She said Taiwan's pharmaceutical industry appreciates his policy mindset of prioritizing Taiwan's medical and pharmaceutical resilience.