Nursing Workforce Recovers to Pre-Pandemic Levels, Three-Shift Nurse-to-Patient Ratio Legislation Continues to Be Evaluated
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te announced that nursing recruitment has returned to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang stated that the number of nurses increased by over 5,000 in January compared to the same period last year, reaching a total of 190,000, while the legislation for the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio is still under evaluation.
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- 📰 Published: April 25, 2026 at 19:55
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Central News Agency (Taipei, April 25, reporter Tseng Yi-ning) — President Lai Ching-te said today that nursing recruitment this year has recovered to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang stated that in January this year, the nursing workforce increased by over 5,000 compared to the same period last year, reaching a total of 190,000; the legislation of the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio is still under evaluation.
Shih Chung-liang said that various industries experience some staff turnover after year-end bonuses are distributed. However, looking at January this year, the total number of nurses increased by about 5,000, which has roughly returned to pre-COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus disease) pandemic levels.
Shih Chung-liang pointed out that during the most difficult period of the pandemic, the increase in hospital nursing staff was only 300 in one year and over 1,000 in another, which was very low. However, comparing December last year with December 2024, the nursing workforce increased by approximately 4,700. In January this year, compared to January last year, there was an increase of over 5,000, reaching nearly 190,000, indicating a “gradual return.”
The Taiwan Healthcare Industry Union has called for another protest at the Ministry of Health and Welfare on May 5, demanding the legislation of the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio. In response, Shih Chung-liang said that the Ministry of Health and Welfare has been continuously evaluating the situation, hoping to avoid a scenario where hospitals close beds to avoid violating the law if it is enforced. Therefore, to balance the public's medical needs and the nursing workforce, the Ministry of Health and Welfare is still continuously estimating human resource conditions.
“The past few years were truly bad,” Shih Chung-liang said. Since the launch of the “12-item Strategic Plan for Nursing Workforce Enhancement” last year, through various measures such as night shift allowances, incentives for nurse-to-patient ratios per shift, and NT$10 billion in nursing fees over four years, the nursing workforce increased by over 3,000 last year compared to the same period in 2024. This year, compared to the same period last year, there was an increase of over 5,000. If this trend continues, there will be more confidence in scheduling the legislative timeline for the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio.
The discussion surrounding the social worker in the Kai-Kai case being sentenced sparked debate. Shih Chung-liang said that to avoid judicial rulings causing panic and a chilling effect among social workers, a “Public-Private Sector Collaboration for Stable Social Worker Workforce Symposium” was convened this week. Representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Judicial Yuan, and legal experts discussed the guarantor status.
Regarding institutional reforms, Shih Chung-liang said that revisions to the Social Worker Law are being considered, benchmarked against medical personnel, to clarify civil and criminal liabilities. A professional review mechanism is also being studied to provide expert opinions in judicial trials, helping to clarify frontline practical situations.
“We cannot do without social workers; they help the most vulnerable and those who need help,” Shih Chung-liang said. Therefore, liability insurance for social workers is also being considered to provide legal assistance in cases of unintentional or non-gross negligence when social workers perform duties with “quasi-public authority” such as child abuse and domestic violence, in addition to existing personal accident insurance. Regarding remuneration, it is hoped that salary adjustments will gradually be extended to all social workers, following the precedent of civil servants. (Edited by Lee Heng-shan) 1150425
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Shih Chung-liang said that various industries experience some staff turnover after year-end bonuses are distributed. However, looking at January this year, the total number of nurses increased by about 5,000, which has roughly returned to pre-COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus disease) pandemic levels.
Shih Chung-liang pointed out that during the most difficult period of the pandemic, the increase in hospital nursing staff was only 300 in one year and over 1,000 in another, which was very low. However, comparing December last year with December 2024, the nursing workforce increased by approximately 4,700. In January this year, compared to January last year, there was an increase of over 5,000, reaching nearly 190,000, indicating a “gradual return.”
The Taiwan Healthcare Industry Union has called for another protest at the Ministry of Health and Welfare on May 5, demanding the legislation of the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio. In response, Shih Chung-liang said that the Ministry of Health and Welfare has been continuously evaluating the situation, hoping to avoid a scenario where hospitals close beds to avoid violating the law if it is enforced. Therefore, to balance the public's medical needs and the nursing workforce, the Ministry of Health and Welfare is still continuously estimating human resource conditions.
“The past few years were truly bad,” Shih Chung-liang said. Since the launch of the “12-item Strategic Plan for Nursing Workforce Enhancement” last year, through various measures such as night shift allowances, incentives for nurse-to-patient ratios per shift, and NT$10 billion in nursing fees over four years, the nursing workforce increased by over 3,000 last year compared to the same period in 2024. This year, compared to the same period last year, there was an increase of over 5,000. If this trend continues, there will be more confidence in scheduling the legislative timeline for the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio.
The discussion surrounding the social worker in the Kai-Kai case being sentenced sparked debate. Shih Chung-liang said that to avoid judicial rulings causing panic and a chilling effect among social workers, a “Public-Private Sector Collaboration for Stable Social Worker Workforce Symposium” was convened this week. Representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Judicial Yuan, and legal experts discussed the guarantor status.
Regarding institutional reforms, Shih Chung-liang said that revisions to the Social Worker Law are being considered, benchmarked against medical personnel, to clarify civil and criminal liabilities. A professional review mechanism is also being studied to provide expert opinions in judicial trials, helping to clarify frontline practical situations.
“We cannot do without social workers; they help the most vulnerable and those who need help,” Shih Chung-liang said. Therefore, liability insurance for social workers is also being considered to provide legal assistance in cases of unintentional or non-gross negligence when social workers perform duties with “quasi-public authority” such as child abuse and domestic violence, in addition to existing personal accident insurance. Regarding remuneration, it is hoped that salary adjustments will gradually be extended to all social workers, following the precedent of civil servants. (Edited by Lee Heng-shan) 1150425
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to grasp the latest news in real time.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.