Page 82 - TAIWAN TOBACCO CONTROL ANNUAL REPORT 2019

80 doses of free flu vaccines reached coverage rate of 25% of the whole population in 2018. The government also provided subsidies for the replacement of vaccine transport and storage equipment for 22 health departments of counties and cities in order to ensure the quality of vaccines. 5. Subsidies for regions with a shortage of medical resources: (a) 15 hospitals in 15 cities and counties received subsidies for the provision of 24-hour emergency medical services in the pediatric department (including newborn and premature babies). A pediatric specialist must be on duty at night and on holidays to provide emergency and inpatient services and strengthen hospital performance in remote areas with a shortage of medical resources. (b) We strengthened the hospital efficiency in remote areas and areas that lack medical resources, and subsidized the Taitung Hospital, Hualien Hospital, and Hengchun Tourism Hospital with medical and human resources. We also supported the establishment of a chemotherapy center in Penghu Hospital, so that around 63 cancer patients per month do not need to travel back and forth between mainisland Taiwan and the Penghu offshore islands. By the end of December 2018, the center provided services for a total of 1,970 patients. (c) Medical centers and hospitals that provide critical first aid are required to support offshore islands and remote areas. In 2018, a total of 111 physicians of 27 medical centers provide emergency treatment and treatment for acute severe diseases at 26 hospitals in areas that lack medical resources to provide assistance to hospitals in those areas and on offshore islands. Incentives are provided at 18 locations to promote cooperation between local hospitals and meet the demand of local citizens and tourists for emergency medical services. The goal lies in the provision of 24-hour emergency care services. 6. Organizing Limited No-Fault remedy for birth-related injury: The Remedy for Birth-relateded Injury Act took effect on June 30, 2016. The Remedy for Birth-relateded Injury Fund which was established in 2017 was initially funded through allocations from the tobacco surcharge. 279 of the 294 cases which were processed in 2018 met the criteria for relief payment. These payments totaled NT$ 154.8 million. 7. Social welfare effects at national and local levels:13 social welfare organizations provided shelter and proper accommodation and care for a total of 2,889 seniors, children, teenagers, and physically and mentally challenged individuals to keep them from becoming destitute and homeless in 2018. 8. Effectiveness of the application of long-term care resources: (a) 181,000 persons received long-term care in 2018. (b) In the customary territories of indigenous people, offshore islands, and other areas with a lack of resources, 165 care management centers and substations will be set up as a single contact window for integrating long-term care resources based on social and health policies. (c) 2,210 contracted service stations to promote prevention and disability alleviation for close to 45,000 beneficiaries. (d) 472 Integrated Service Centers in communities, 2,974 Compound Service Centers, and 1,604 Long-term Care Sations in lanes and alleys have been established all over the country in cooperation with 22 cities and counties.