Shih Chung-liang: Three-shift nurse-patient ratio to be promoted as planned, definitely no reneging

TAIPEI (CNA) -- The issue of the three-shift nurse-patient ratio continues to be discussed, and Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang again faced a gaffe controversy. He reiterated today that the three-shift nurse-patient ratio policy, transitioning from an encouraging measure to a mandatory legal requirement, was not a temporary decision or a mere slogan, but a systematically promoted policy that will definitely be implemented.

The three-shift nurse-patient ratio is expected to be implemented in two years. Recently, several legislators have questioned President Lai Ching-te's policy promises potentially being reneged. Shih Chung-liang said yesterday in the Legislative Yuan, "No, if you're afraid of it being reneged, just vote for President Lai again, and he will definitely implement it." He added that if there is no change in leadership, President Lai will certainly implement it, which led to public questioning of his remarks.

Shih Chung-liang attended the launch press conference for the Asia-Pacific Rare Disease Innovative Treatment Center this morning. Before the conference, he was interviewed by the media and asked to respond to the gaffe controversy. He said that the three-shift nurse-patient ratio changed from an original encouraging and suggestive measure to a legally mandatory regulation. "It's not about just shouting numbers or shouting immediate implementation; we must promote the policy responsibly."

Shih Chung-liang emphasized that the Ministry of Health and Welfare has been actively preparing for the three-shift nurse-patient ratio since President Lai took office, hoping that when the new system is launched, hospitals will not face the pressure of having to meet targets due to insufficient nursing staff, which could lead to bed closures and affect patients' access to medical care. He stressed the need to promote the policy responsibly and guaranteed that the three-shift nurse-patient ratio will be launched within President Lai's first term, which is by May 20, 2028 (ROC calendar 117).

Shih Chung-liang stated that regarding the implementation of the three-shift nurse-patient ratio, the Ministry of Health and Welfare will follow the previous plan and will definitely not renege. This is not just about the three-shift nurse-patient ratio; since President Lai took office, he has been the president who has invested the most medical and nursing resources. This includes the National Health Insurance's total budget increasing by the highest growth rate of 5.5% for two consecutive years, and this year's total budget being the highest ever. Currently, each point value of the NHI has exceeded NT$0.95.

Shih Chung-liang said that President Lai has repeatedly called on hospital superintendents in public and private settings to use the optimized NHI point value funds for salary increases for medical professionals, especially nurses. Currently, a 12-strategy plan for nursing workforce policy preparation has been launched, covering talent cultivation, improvement of working conditions, and salary increases, prioritizing the improvement of nursing fees for critical care, emergency departments, and intensive care units, hoping to retain and attract more nursing talents. (Edited by Li Heng-shan) 1150512

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