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FTV – June 9, 2013
Toxic starch has swept across Taiwan, with some experts suspecting it may be one of the reasons behind the persistently high number of dialysis patients in Taiwan. June 9 marks the 50th anniversary of Taiwan's dialysis history. Since the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI), the annual cost of dialysis reimbursements alone has reached as high as NT$30.85 billion. Even Dr. Ko Wen-je, director of the Trauma Department at National Taiwan University Hospital, has criticized the excessive use of resources by inappropriate "dialysis" treatments. However, for many patients, dialysis is their only means of sustaining life.
At the age of 28, Ms. Liao developed kidney disease due to lupus erythematosus and has been on dialysis for 25 years. She never imagined she would end up on this path. Her arms have become swollen from long-term "hemodialysis," with her left forearm even more swollen than her right.
Ms. Chen is another who has suffered from dialysis. She underwent "peritoneal dialysis" for 12 years and considers herself fortunate to have conceived and given birth during her treatment—the only such case in Asia.
On June 9, Taiwan's dialysis history will reach its 50th year, but this is no cause for celebration. Taiwan has the highest number of dialysis patients in the world, and the numbers continue to rise year after year. In 2011, the total number of dialysis patients in Taiwan reached 63,000, and by 2012, it had grown to 66,000—an increase of 2,607 people. This has led to alarmingly high NHI dialysis reimbursement costs.
In 2007, the cost was NT$28.32 billion; in 2008, NT$29.19 billion; in 2009, NT$30.12 billion; in 2010, NT$30.8 billion; and by 2011, it had risen to NT$30.85 billion. These escalating expenses have become one of the biggest burdens on the NHI.
The medical community worries that as the population ages and the number of patients increases, without NHI coverage, these individuals would essentially face a death sentence.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E5……4% 80% E5% 8D% 87- 121747928. html;_ylt=AlKi.sa.rPypNvhdX6ObRrXeBdF_;_ylu=X3oDMTMyN3E3OWIyBG1pdANJbmZpbml0ZSBCcm93c2UgVFcEcGtnAzExOTQyOGI5LWZiN2QtMzE5Mi1iNjM1LTgzZWY0MmU5MGJkMARwb3MDbDMEc2VjA21lZGlhaW5maW5pdGVicm93c2VsaXN0;_ylg=X3oDMTJ1dTQ1bDZuBGludGwDdHcEbGFuZwN6aC1oYW50LXR3BHBzdGFpZAM1Y2VkOWQ5MS05Yjk4LTM2M2UtYTJlMC1jODI3YmJmMjBjMmIEcHN0Y2F0A.WBpeW6twRwdANzdG9yeXBhZ2U-;_ylv=3
50 Years of Dialysis in Taiwan: Rising Patient Numbers Annually
Toxic starch has swept across Taiwan, with some experts suspecting it may be one of the reasons behind the persistently high number of dialysis patients in Taiwan. June 9 marks the 50th anniversary of Taiwan's dialysis history. Since the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI), the annual cost of dialysis reimbursements alone has reached as high as NT$30.85 billion. Even Dr. Ko Wen-je, director of the Trauma Department at National Taiwan University Hospital, has criticized the excessive use of resources by inappropriate "dialysis" treatments. However, for many patients, dialysis is their only means of sustaining life.
At the age of 28, Ms. Liao developed kidney disease due to lupus erythematosus and has been on dialysis for 25 years. She never imagined she would end up on this path. Her arms have become swollen from long-term "hemodialysis," with her left forearm even more swollen than her right.
Ms. Chen is another who has suffered from dialysis. She underwent "peritoneal dialysis" for 12 years and considers herself fortunate to have conceived and given birth during her treatment—the only such case in Asia.
On June 9, Taiwan's dialysis history will reach its 50th year, but this is no cause for celebration. Taiwan has the highest number of dialysis patients in the world, and the numbers continue to rise year after year. In 2011, the total number of dialysis patients in Taiwan reached 63,000, and by 2012, it had grown to 66,000—an increase of 2,607 people. This has led to alarmingly high NHI dialysis reimbursement costs.
In 2007, the cost was NT$28.32 billion; in 2008, NT$29.19 billion; in 2009, NT$30.12 billion; in 2010, NT$30.8 billion; and by 2011, it had risen to NT$30.85 billion. These escalating expenses have become one of the biggest burdens on the NHI.
The medical community worries that as the population ages and the number of patients increases, without NHI coverage, these individuals would essentially face a death sentence.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E5……4% 80% E5% 8D% 87- 121747928. html;_ylt=AlKi.sa.rPypNvhdX6ObRrXeBdF_;_ylu=X3oDMTMyN3E3OWIyBG1pdANJbmZpbml0ZSBCcm93c2UgVFcEcGtnAzExOTQyOGI5LWZiN2QtMzE5Mi1iNjM1LTgzZWY0MmU5MGJkMARwb3MDbDMEc2VjA21lZGlhaW5maW5pdGVicm93c2VsaXN0;_ylg=X3oDMTJ1dTQ1bDZuBGludGwDdHcEbGFuZwN6aC1oYW50LXR3BHBzdGFpZAM1Y2VkOWQ5MS05Yjk4LTM2M2UtYTJlMC1jODI3YmJmMjBjMmIEcHN0Y2F0A.WBpeW6twRwdANzdG9yeXBhZ2U-;_ylv=3