Taiwan will recruit foreign caregivers to help staff 30,000 hospital beds as the government expands its inpatient care system to address worsening labor shortages. Health Minister Shih Chung-liang said the plan would ease pressure on medical workers while improving daily care for hospitalized patients. The policy targets acute care wards, where patients often need assistance with eating, hygiene, and mobility. Officials said the move aims to stabilize hospital operations and protect patient safety.
Shih said Taiwan has about 70,000 general acute care beds, and more than half serve patients who need routine daily support. Many families currently hire private caregivers or rely on nurses to perform basic tasks. However, hospitals face chronic staffing shortages, which limits how many beds they can safely operate. The ministry estimates that expanded use of foreign caregivers could allow hospitals to fully staff 30,000 beds nationwide.
Since 2022, the Inpatient Integrated Care Trial Program has provided publicly funded caregivers in selected hospitals. The program has received positive feedback from medical staff, who reported reduced workloads and improved efficiency. However, only 110 hospitals participated last year, hiring just 2,700 caregivers, which covered about 5,000 beds. The Ministry of Health and Welfare will now invest NT$250 million to scale the program significantly.
Under the new policy, only foreign caregivers who have already worked in Taiwan for at least six years will be eligible. Shih said these workers have adequate experience and sufficient language ability to work safely in hospital settings. He rejected concerns about communication barriers and professionalism, saying the ministry would apply strict training and oversight standards. Officials also said caregivers would operate under hospital supervision rather than independently.
Labor and nursing unions have criticized the plan, warning it could create management problems and add stress for medical staff. They cited potential issues involving coordination, accountability, and patient complaints. However, National Taiwan University Hospital superintendent Yu Chung-jen said Taiwan’s healthcare system faces a structural workforce shortage. He argued that assigning routine care to foreign caregivers would allow nurses to focus on professional medical duties.
Yu said countries such as the United States, Japan, and members of the European Union already rely on foreign caregiving staff in hospitals. He added that Taiwan has long depended on foreign workers in other industries, yet lagged in healthcare. Hospital administrators said better use of caregivers would improve patient care and reduce nurse burnout. The ministry plans to monitor the rollout and adjust the policy as hospitals begin hiring under the expanded program.
