New hospital in Pingtung competes with local medical referral centres

Pingtung Veterans General Hospital needs to compete with rural hospitals that are familiar with the community.

Whilst Pingtung Veterans General Hospital has cutting-edge equipment, it still needs to compete with local medical referral centres in Pingtung, Taiwan, which has over 180,000 population.

Dr. Tony Wu, superintendent at Pingtung Veterans General Hospital, told Healthcare Asia at the Healthcare+ Expo in Nangang, Taiwan, that these referral centres prefer older physicians who are close to the communities.

“There are three secondary referral centres very near to us less than 10 minutes driving distance. So it means that I have to compete with those exiting centres, not only for the medical staff but also for the patients,” said Dr. Wu.

As this young hospital marks its first anniversary since opening in November, it faces a unique outlook. 

Located in a friendly environment that promotes patient recovery, the hospital is committed to shortening travel times for both patients and medical staff. 

Their immediate goal is to survive in a competitive healthcare landscape where existing hospitals are deeply rooted.

In the coming years, the hospital aspires to not only expand its medical services but also enhance its research efforts and engagement in education. 

Training their staff and attracting qualified medical professionals to this region will be a key part of their growth strategy. However, enticing experienced healthcare providers to a smaller city like Pingtung remains a challenge.

The journey of this young hospital in Pingtung is a testament to the dedication and resilience of its team. As they continue to provide essential healthcare services to the community and strive to overcome the unique challenges of their region, their impact on the local healthcare landscape will undoubtedly be significant.