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(Central News Agency reporter Kang Shiren, Singapore, March 29, 2010)
A white paper titled "Challenges Facing Healthcare in Asia" released today by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) indicates that Taiwan has the highest proportion of healthcare expenditures relative to GDP, but its national health insurance financial system will ultimately require reform.
The EIU's white paper surveyed 11 countries or regions, including China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The white paper shows that Taiwan's healthcare spending accounted for 6.6% of GDP last year and is projected to reach 6.7% this year, ranking first among the 11 surveyed countries and regions. Hong Kong and South Korea follow closely behind.
According to the white paper, Taiwanese are among the healthiest in Asia, with an average life expectancy of 75.1 years for men and 81 years for women last year, matching that of South Koreans.
Additionally, the white paper notes that Taiwanese and South Koreans are the healthiest among the 11 surveyed Asian countries or regions, with life expectancies leading other Asian nations or regions.
The report states that Taiwan's per capita healthcare expenditure reached $1,074 last year, with national income spent on healthcare increasing annually. Pharmaceutical expenditures were the highest, averaging $220 per person per year.
The white paper also mentions that while most Taiwanese enjoy affordable healthcare through the national health insurance system, this has led to financial strain, necessitating eventual reforms to the insurance system's financial structure.
Among the 11 Asian countries or regions, Indonesia had the lowest healthcare spending, accounting for only 2.8% of GDP last year and this year. Thailand followed at 3.3%, Vietnam at 3.7% last year and 3.8% this year, and the Philippines at 3.8% last year and 3.9% this year. Singapore ranked fifth from the bottom, with healthcare spending at just 4.1% of GDP for both last year and this year.
However, the white paper points out that healthcare spending as a percentage of GDP in Asian countries still lags behind that of Europe and the U.S. For example, U.S. healthcare expenditures accounted for 16.3% of GDP last year and 16% this year.
Furthermore, the white paper highlights that Taiwan has an ample supply of hospital beds and doctors, with 1.5 doctors and 6.4 beds per 1,000 people—second only to South Korea, which has 1.7 doctors and 6.6 beds per 1,000 people.
Hong Kong ranks third among the 11 regions, with 1.5 doctors and 5 beds per 1,000 people. Mainland China and Singapore tie for fourth place, each with 1.6 doctors and 2.5 beds per 1,000 people.
Among the 11 Asian countries or regions, Indonesia has the most severe shortage, with only 0.3 doctors and 0.6 beds per 1,000 people.
Source: http:/ / tw. stock. yahoo. com/ ne……/ url/ d/ a/ 100329/ 1/ 1yb49. html
The Economist: Taiwan's Healthcare Spending at 6.6% of GDP, A High Proportion
A white paper titled "Challenges Facing Healthcare in Asia" released today by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) indicates that Taiwan has the highest proportion of healthcare expenditures relative to GDP, but its national health insurance financial system will ultimately require reform.
The EIU's white paper surveyed 11 countries or regions, including China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The white paper shows that Taiwan's healthcare spending accounted for 6.6% of GDP last year and is projected to reach 6.7% this year, ranking first among the 11 surveyed countries and regions. Hong Kong and South Korea follow closely behind.
According to the white paper, Taiwanese are among the healthiest in Asia, with an average life expectancy of 75.1 years for men and 81 years for women last year, matching that of South Koreans.
Additionally, the white paper notes that Taiwanese and South Koreans are the healthiest among the 11 surveyed Asian countries or regions, with life expectancies leading other Asian nations or regions.
The report states that Taiwan's per capita healthcare expenditure reached $1,074 last year, with national income spent on healthcare increasing annually. Pharmaceutical expenditures were the highest, averaging $220 per person per year.
The white paper also mentions that while most Taiwanese enjoy affordable healthcare through the national health insurance system, this has led to financial strain, necessitating eventual reforms to the insurance system's financial structure.
Among the 11 Asian countries or regions, Indonesia had the lowest healthcare spending, accounting for only 2.8% of GDP last year and this year. Thailand followed at 3.3%, Vietnam at 3.7% last year and 3.8% this year, and the Philippines at 3.8% last year and 3.9% this year. Singapore ranked fifth from the bottom, with healthcare spending at just 4.1% of GDP for both last year and this year.
However, the white paper points out that healthcare spending as a percentage of GDP in Asian countries still lags behind that of Europe and the U.S. For example, U.S. healthcare expenditures accounted for 16.3% of GDP last year and 16% this year.
Furthermore, the white paper highlights that Taiwan has an ample supply of hospital beds and doctors, with 1.5 doctors and 6.4 beds per 1,000 people—second only to South Korea, which has 1.7 doctors and 6.6 beds per 1,000 people.
Hong Kong ranks third among the 11 regions, with 1.5 doctors and 5 beds per 1,000 people. Mainland China and Singapore tie for fourth place, each with 1.6 doctors and 2.5 beds per 1,000 people.
Among the 11 Asian countries or regions, Indonesia has the most severe shortage, with only 0.3 doctors and 0.6 beds per 1,000 people.
Source: http:/ / tw. stock. yahoo. com/ ne……/ url/ d/ a/ 100329/ 1/ 1yb49. html