Medical Experiences and Challenges of New Immigrants in Taiwan
According to statistics from the National Immigration Agency, from January 1987 to May 2024, Taiwan's new immigrant population has reached approximately 600,000, accounting for 2% of the total population. Nearly 30% of these new immigrants come from New Southbound countries, with the majority being from Vietnam (19.7%), followed by Indonesia (5.4%), the Philippines (2.0%), and Thailand (1.7%).New immigrants from different countries have formed families in Taiwan, enriching the nation’s cultural diversity. However, as the proportion of new immigrants increases, their healthcare needs also become a crucial issue that requires attention. Studies have shown that immigrants often face language barriers, preventing them from accessing adequate health information and medical care (Pandey, M., Maina, R.G., Amoyaw, J. et al., 2021). Given the current demographic structure, about one-third of new immigrants in Taiwan may encounter difficulties in seeking medical care due to language differences.The Establishment of the New Southbound Health Service CenterAs Taiwan’s interactions with New Southbound countries become more frequent, strengthening healthcare services and preventive measures for those traveling between these nations is essential. In response, the Department of Family Medicine at National Taiwan University Hospital, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, has established the New Southbound Health Service Center.The center focuses on the health management of individuals traveling to and from New Southbound countries, including new immigrants in Taiwan. The center has also partnered with various social welfare organizations for new immigrants to organize health education seminars, offering essential health information.Through these collaborations, the center has had the opportunity to conduct in-depth discussions with four new immigrant women: Ms. Nguyen from Vietnam, Ms. Tsai from the Philippines, Ms. Lu from Indonesia, and Ms. Xu from Thailand. These women have lived in Taiwan for years and have also worked as medical interpreters, allowing them to share their own experiences and the challenges their fellow immigrants commonly face when seeking medical care.Social Networks: A Key to Accessing Health InformationCompared to native Taiwanese, new immigrants—especially those who have recently arrived—often struggle with obtaining resources due to language barriers, cultural differences, and weaker support networks. As a result, they have a harder time receiving proper healthcare information.Ms. Nguyen from Vietnam and Ms. Lu from Indonesia shared that they primarily obtain health information from the health service center where they have previously worked. Ms. Nguyen recalled that when she first arrived in Taiwan, she was unfamiliar with everything and could not understand Chinese, making medical information inaccessible to her. Fortunately, staff at the health service center reached out to her, guiding her through Taiwan’s healthcare system and connecting her with support groups for new immigrants. With additional support from her in-laws and husband, she gradually adapted to her new environment and later even became a medical volunteer.The center has long collaborated with social welfare organizations related to new residents to hold health education seminars. (Photo/Provided by New Southbound Service Center)Ms. Tsai from the Philippines and Ms. Xu from Thailand mentioned that they usually rely on friends, social media, and television for health-related information. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, they frequently received updates about vaccines and healthcare policies through group chats on LINE.Their experiences highlight the critical role of social networks in helping new immigrants access healthcare information. Whether through family, health service centers, workplace networks, or community support systems, these connections help them integrate better and receive necessary medical care.Language Barriers: The Biggest Challenge in HealthcareWhen asked about their medical experiences in Taiwan, the four women shared how they have developed personal strategies to navigate the healthcare system. Ms. Nguyen and Ms. Lu, both living in Taipei, prefer visiting well-established and affordable clinics associated with Taipei City Hospital. Ms. Tsai, influenced by the healthcare culture in the Philippines, usually treats minor illnesses with over-the-counter medication. When seeking medical attention, she prefers experienced doctors recommended by her in-laws or colleagues. This aligns with a 2014 study on new immigrants in Taiwan, which found that many seek medical care based on recommendations from friends or fellow immigrants.However, they also reported several challenges in accessing healthcare. Ms. Xu recalled an incident where a hospital staff member spoke to her entirely in Taiwanese, which she could not understand. She had to rely on guessing what was being asked and complying with the examination process without fully understanding it. Since then, her first step upon entering a consultation room is to request that the staff speak Mandarin.Other women echoed similar struggles, mentioning issues such as difficulty expressing their symptoms clearly, doctors speaking too fast, and trouble comprehending medical instructions. Ms. Tsai stated that she prefers having her husband accompany her to medical visits, as he helps her better understand the doctor’s explanations.Another major issue is medication instructions. Many new immigrants struggle to understand how to take prescribed medicine due to language barriers and the fast-paced explanations given by medical staff. They suggested that hospitals should provide clearer prescription labels with detailed instructions in multiple languages or have healthcare providers speak more slowly when explaining medication use. The New Southbound Personnel Health Service Center provides health management services for individuals traveling between New Southbound countries. (Photo/Provided by New Southbound Service Center)Improving Healthcare Access for New ImmigrantsBased on the feedback from these new immigrant women, language barriers and unfamiliarity with Taiwan’s medical system are the biggest obstacles they face. They offered several suggestions to improve the medical experience for new immigrants, including:Establishing dedicated assistance counters for new immigrants in hospitalsRecruiting multilingual staff or assigning trained interpreters to assist non-Chinese-speaking patientsCreating multilingual medical guides or symptom description sheets for use during consultationsImproving hospital signage for foreign visitors and providing volunteer guides to help them navigate medical facilitiesBuilding a More Inclusive Healthcare SystemThrough these discussions, the New Southbound Health Service Center has gained a deeper understanding of the challenges new immigrants face in Taiwan’s healthcare system. To ensure equal and accessible medical care, several key strategies should be implemented:Disseminating health education information through channels familiar to new immigrantsRaising awareness of new immigrants’ cultural perspectives on healthcare to better address their needsEnhancing the use of translation tools and hiring multilingual medical staff to provide language supportCreating a more welcoming healthcare environment to help immigrants navigate medical procedures with confidenceThe New Southbound Health Service Center remains committed to providing health management services for individuals traveling between Taiwan and New Southbound countries. Whether it’s pre-travel medical preparations or disease prevention, the center continuously strives to enhance healthcare accessibility.Understanding the experiences and challenges faced by new immigrants is crucial in creating a more inclusive healthcare system in Taiwan. By improving communication, support services, and accessibility, Taiwan can ensure that all residents—regardless of their background—receive the quality medical care they deserve.Author: Ke Ziyu, Health Manager, New Southbound Health Service CenterReferences:National Immigration Agency (2024). Statistics on Foreign and Mainland Chinese Spouses. Retrieved on May 17, 2024.Pandey, M., Maina, R.G., Amoyaw, J. et al. (2021). Impacts of English language proficiency on healthcare access, use, and outcomes among immigrants: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 21, 741. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06750-4Yen, F.Z., & Wu, H.M. (2014). Health Networks of New Immigrants in Taiwan. Nursing Journal, 61(4), 35-45. https://doi.org/10.6224/JN.61.4.35
2025-02-13 09:00