Nursing Sector Criticizes Delay in Nurse-Patient Ratio Legislation, Shih Chung-liang: Continuing Communication
Taiwanese nursing groups are dissatisfied with the delay in legislating nurse-to-patient ratios and plan protests. Minister of Health and Welfare, Shih Chung-liang, states there might be some misunderstandings and promises continued communication on the issue.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 16:32
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 17:02 (29 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 17:17 (15 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chiang Yi-ching, Yunlin County, 1st) The legislation of nurse-to-patient ratios has become a focal point in the medical community. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has proposed revising the standards for medical institution establishment, but nursing groups are dissatisfied with the delay and threatened to protest in front of the MOHW on the 5th. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang said today that there might be some misunderstandings and that communication will continue.
Shih Chung-liang previously stated that the MOHW will soon establish a "Medical Manpower Optimization Research and Promotion Task Force," with the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio being the first agenda item. The MOHW's statement sparked dissatisfaction among nursing circles, who threatened to protest in front of the MOHW on the 5th, demanding that the government substantially legislate the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio by the 20th, rather than merely through administrative orders.
Shih Chung-liang attended the inauguration of the National Institute of Geriatric Medicine and Health Welfare Research Center in Yunlin County today and accepted media interviews afterward.
Shih Chung-liang said that there is an existing policy for the legislation of nurse-to-patient ratios, but the promotion process must take into account patient needs. He does not want a hasty or rigid legislation that could lead to hospital bed closures and inconvenience for severely ill patients. Legislation is a definite policy, but the details and related配套 measures need to be fully studied, so communication with all sectors will continue.
Regarding the nursing groups' planned protest at the MOHW on the 5th, Shih Chung-liang responded that communication will continue, and there might be some misunderstandings. After the current policy announcement, the medical and nursing communities have various opinions. Although the nursing community might interpret it as mere posturing.
Shih Chung-liang clarified, "This is not posturing; it's policy promotion." He hopes that nurses' workload will be appropriate, working conditions will improve, leading to their return to the workforce. The measures will certainly not be limited to nurse-to-patient ratio legislation; many other supporting measures need to be promoted. Therefore, communication will continue to ensure the approved policies are implemented quickly. (Editor: Chen Ching-fang) 1150501
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(Central News Agency reporter Chiang Yi-ching, Yunlin County, 1st) The legislation of nurse-to-patient ratios has become a focal point in the medical community. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has proposed revising the standards for medical institution establishment, but nursing groups are dissatisfied with the delay and threatened to protest in front of the MOHW on the 5th. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang said today that there might be some misunderstandings and that communication will continue.
Shih Chung-liang previously stated that the MOHW will soon establish a "Medical Manpower Optimization Research and Promotion Task Force," with the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio being the first agenda item. The MOHW's statement sparked dissatisfaction among nursing circles, who threatened to protest in front of the MOHW on the 5th, demanding that the government substantially legislate the three-shift nurse-to-patient ratio by the 20th, rather than merely through administrative orders.
Shih Chung-liang attended the inauguration of the National Institute of Geriatric Medicine and Health Welfare Research Center in Yunlin County today and accepted media interviews afterward.
Shih Chung-liang said that there is an existing policy for the legislation of nurse-to-patient ratios, but the promotion process must take into account patient needs. He does not want a hasty or rigid legislation that could lead to hospital bed closures and inconvenience for severely ill patients. Legislation is a definite policy, but the details and related配套 measures need to be fully studied, so communication with all sectors will continue.
Regarding the nursing groups' planned protest at the MOHW on the 5th, Shih Chung-liang responded that communication will continue, and there might be some misunderstandings. After the current policy announcement, the medical and nursing communities have various opinions. Although the nursing community might interpret it as mere posturing.
Shih Chung-liang clarified, "This is not posturing; it's policy promotion." He hopes that nurses' workload will be appropriate, working conditions will improve, leading to their return to the workforce. The measures will certainly not be limited to nurse-to-patient ratio legislation; many other supporting measures need to be promoted. Therefore, communication will continue to ensure the approved policies are implemented quickly. (Editor: Chen Ching-fang) 1150501
Choose to stand with the truth. Every sponsorship you provide is a force protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-Hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.