To safeguard heart health in rural areas, the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) held a press conference on November 8 at the Jinfeng Township Public Health Center in Taitung County. NHIA Director General Dr. Chung-Liang Shih, joined by representatives from the NHIA Eastern Division Office, Taitung County Government, Jinfeng Township Office, Taitung MacKay Memorial Hospital, and Jinfeng Township Public Health Center, came together to showcase the results of the Smart Care initiative for cardiac patients in Taitung County. This initiative, jointly implemented by the NHIA and Taitung MacKay Memorial Hospital, demonstrates their collaborative efforts to improve heart health for residents in the region.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, cardiac diseases ranked as the second leading cause of death of 2023 in Taiwan, surpassed only by malignant tumors, with over 20,000 fatalities attributed to cardiac conditions. To enhance cardiac care in Taitung County, the NHIA collaborated with Taitung MacKay Memorial Hospital to integrate advanced technologies and case management models, focusing on early diagnosis, timely treatment, and reducing mortality rates.
As part of this initiative, Taitung MacKay Memorial Hospital has established smart healthcare kiosks at public health centers in Jinfeng Township, Green Island, and Beinan Township. These kiosks provide a range of cardiac-related diagnostic services, including electrocardiograms (ECG), vital sign monitoring, and heart rate variability (HRV) recordings. The test results are transmitted to a cloud platform, enabling remote medical personnel to detect potential heart abnormalities and provide timely treatment. Patients with abnormal findings are equipped with wearable devices for continuous physiological monitoring, ensuring precise diagnoses and appropriate treatment plans.
Additionally, the program emphasizes health education, empowering residents to practice self-care and adopt healthier lifestyles, thereby further reducing the risks of cardiac diseases.
The NHIA further explained that through the Eastern Region Hospital Global Budget Risk Reallocation Project, Taitung Mackay Memorial Hospital has upgraded Jin-Feng Health Center, Green Island Health Center, and Beinan Health Center into "Smart Cardiac Care" units. When residents seek medical attention, healthcare professionals utilize smart cardiac care software for real-time monitoring and screening of heart diseases. In 2023, 393 screenings were conducted, detecting abnormalities in 51 cases. From January to October 2024, 944 screenings were performed, identifying 100 abnormal cases. Through early detection and timely treatment, residents have been able to reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation and prevent blood clots, effectively lowering the likelihood of potential strokes and heart failure.
The NHIA expressed its sincere gratitude to the medical team and all those who have supported and contributed to healthcare in remote and rural areas. In addition to continuing the project in Jinfeng Township and Green Island, the initiative is set to expand to Beinan Township by the end of 2024, with plans to include other townships in the future. The goal is to optimize medical resources in remote and rural areas by integrating technology with medical teams, advancing toward the vision of a Healthy Taiwan.