To Prevent Chronic Kidney Disease from Leading to Dialysis, Legislative Yuan's Health and Welfare Association Calls for Establishment of National Office
The Legislative Yuan's Health and Welfare Association and experts are calling on the government to establish a national kidney disease office and set reducing new dialysis patients as a core KPI. NHIA data shows Taiwan's annual new dialysis patient count has decreased for three consecutive years, but clinically, some patients still have significantly deteriorated kidney function upon referral. Experts recommend expanding UACR testing in adult health checks and increasing pay-for-performance (P4P) incentives. The Ministry of Health and Welfare says it will review inter-ministerial plans and strengthen follow-up management.
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- 📰 Published: June 3, 2026 at 17:33
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(CNA reporter Tseng Yi-ning, Taipei, 3rd) According to National Health Insurance statistics, Taiwan's annual number of new dialysis patients has decreased for three consecutive years. However, Dr. Li Wen-chin, Vice Superintendent of Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, observed that some patients still arrive at the hospital with significantly deteriorated kidney function. The Legislative Yuan's Health and Welfare Association today called on the government to establish a national kidney disease office and set medium- to long-term goals.
The office of Legislator Liu Chien-kuo, the Legislative Yuan's Health and Welfare Association, and the John Tung Foundation today held the "Inaugural Meeting of the Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment Policy Promotion Committee and Policy Proposal Release and Expert Meeting," urging the government to make "reducing the number of new dialysis patients" a core KPI for prevention and to promote a national kidney disease prevention policy.
Committee convener Liu Chien-kuo pointed out at the meeting that while the number of new dialysis patients has leveled off in recent years, the rate of decline is still insufficient to alleviate the burden. The government should establish a national kidney disease project office and set medium- to long-term goals.
Chen Ching-hui, Chairperson of the Legislative Yuan's Health and Welfare Association and a KMT legislator, stated that chronic kidney disease is often asymptomatic in its early stages. Adult health checkups should gradually incorporate urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) testing to compensate for the limitations of using only urine protein test strips for risk assessment, allowing high-risk groups to be identified earlier and connected to follow-up care.
Dr. Chen Hsiang-kuo, President of the Taiwan Medical Association, suggested that the government should use a dedicated office to assist in supervision and implementation, establish clear division of labor and referral mechanisms between primary care and specialists, and promote effective collaboration between the two.
Dr. Li Wen-chin, Vice Superintendent of Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, shared that clinically, some patients still have significantly deteriorated kidney function when referred to the hospital, missing the opportunity for early intervention. He suggested increasing pay-for-performance (P4P) referral care incentives to allow high-risk patients to receive early evaluation by kidney specialists and then be referred back to primary care after stabilization.
Lin Ming-nan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Hospital and Social Welfare Organizations Administration, pointed out that the family physician program should be linked to coverage for chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment medications to avoid a situation of "having care but no treatment."
Chen Po-tung, CEO of the John Tung Foundation, said that hepatitis C prevention has proven that national-level resource investment and cross-ministerial integration can reduce the disease burden. Facing chronic kidney disease, the government should show the same determination, shifting spending from end-stage dialysis to upstream health investment.
Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Lin Ching-yi responded that the MOHW is fully committed to promoting chronic kidney disease control. It will prioritize reviewing the integration and implementation issues of cross-ministerial related plans and simultaneously strengthen the tracking and treatment management of the P4P program, aiming to balance the financial sustainability of the National Health Insurance with reducing unhealthy life expectancy.
Chen Liang-yu, Director-General of the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA), pointed out that Taiwan's annual number of new dialysis patients has decreased for three consecutive years. Early screening and treatment of kidney disease have also shown results, extending the time before dialysis from 1.8 years in 2016 to 2.9 years in 2025. The NHIA has included cardiorenal protective drugs in its coverage since March 1, 2024, and will consider relaxing coverage regulations in line with this year's family physician program and P4P plan to further advance kidney disease care. (Editor: Lin Ke-lun, Lin Hsing-meng) 1150603
The office of Legislator Liu Chien-kuo, the Legislative Yuan's Health and Welfare Association, and the John Tung Foundation today held the "Inaugural Meeting of the Chronic Kidney Disease Prevention and Treatment Policy Promotion Committee and Policy Proposal Release and Expert Meeting," urging the government to make "reducing the number of new dialysis patients" a core KPI for prevention and to promote a national kidney disease prevention policy.
Committee convener Liu Chien-kuo pointed out at the meeting that while the number of new dialysis patients has leveled off in recent years, the rate of decline is still insufficient to alleviate the burden. The government should establish a national kidney disease project office and set medium- to long-term goals.
Chen Ching-hui, Chairperson of the Legislative Yuan's Health and Welfare Association and a KMT legislator, stated that chronic kidney disease is often asymptomatic in its early stages. Adult health checkups should gradually incorporate urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) testing to compensate for the limitations of using only urine protein test strips for risk assessment, allowing high-risk groups to be identified earlier and connected to follow-up care.
Dr. Chen Hsiang-kuo, President of the Taiwan Medical Association, suggested that the government should use a dedicated office to assist in supervision and implementation, establish clear division of labor and referral mechanisms between primary care and specialists, and promote effective collaboration between the two.
Dr. Li Wen-chin, Vice Superintendent of Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, shared that clinically, some patients still have significantly deteriorated kidney function when referred to the hospital, missing the opportunity for early intervention. He suggested increasing pay-for-performance (P4P) referral care incentives to allow high-risk patients to receive early evaluation by kidney specialists and then be referred back to primary care after stabilization.
Lin Ming-nan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Hospital and Social Welfare Organizations Administration, pointed out that the family physician program should be linked to coverage for chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment medications to avoid a situation of "having care but no treatment."
Chen Po-tung, CEO of the John Tung Foundation, said that hepatitis C prevention has proven that national-level resource investment and cross-ministerial integration can reduce the disease burden. Facing chronic kidney disease, the government should show the same determination, shifting spending from end-stage dialysis to upstream health investment.
Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Lin Ching-yi responded that the MOHW is fully committed to promoting chronic kidney disease control. It will prioritize reviewing the integration and implementation issues of cross-ministerial related plans and simultaneously strengthen the tracking and treatment management of the P4P program, aiming to balance the financial sustainability of the National Health Insurance with reducing unhealthy life expectancy.
Chen Liang-yu, Director-General of the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA), pointed out that Taiwan's annual number of new dialysis patients has decreased for three consecutive years. Early screening and treatment of kidney disease have also shown results, extending the time before dialysis from 1.8 years in 2016 to 2.9 years in 2025. The NHIA has included cardiorenal protective drugs in its coverage since March 1, 2024, and will consider relaxing coverage regulations in line with this year's family physician program and P4P plan to further advance kidney disease care. (Editor: Lin Ke-lun, Lin Hsing-meng) 1150603
FAQ
What is the current status of chronic kidney disease prevention in Taiwan?
The annual number of new dialysis patients has decreased for three consecutive years, but experts are calling for stronger measures.
What is a UACR test?
It measures the ratio of urine albumin to urine creatinine to more accurately detect early kidney damage.
What is Pay-for-Performance (P4P)?
It is a payment model that rewards healthcare providers based on the quality and outcomes of care, used in kidney disease to promote early referral and proper management.