Min-Sheng General Hospital launches new facebook English page

Together with its new English website, Min-Sheng General Hospital has launched an English facebook page to complement the existing Chinese page. The facebook page is accessible from the website (www.missioncare.com.tw) and is one of its new features, allowing for a better interaction with international patients in Taiwan and abroad.

 



 

Whereas the Min-Sheng International blog aims to update the public about Min-sheng Hospital's  actuality and international  initiatives, the facebook page will also introduce and link to articles dealing with health care in Taiwan, and other medical topics that could be of interest to the general public. Min-Sheng invites everyone to visit our website and...Like us on facebook.

Min-Sheng General Hospital launches new English website

Min-Sheng General Hospital has launched a new English website (www.missioncare.com.tw) aimed at providing foreign expats in Taiwan and medical tourists the tools and information they need to facilitate their access to health care in Taiwan.

Building on years of experience dealing with foreign patients, Min-Sheng General Hospital’s International Healthcare Center has designed a new English website that wishes to be informative and practical for local foreign patients visiting the hospital, as well as a marketing tool to promote Mi-Sheng’s specialties to overseas patients. Local English speaking patients will find all the practical information they need regarding the hospital and the services it offers, and the on-line registration procedure to make a doctor appointment has been simplified.

Since the majority of patients traveling to Min-Sheng General Hospital from abroad do so either for weight loss, orthopedic, or cosmetic surgery, or for a health screening, the website has been constructed to reflect this trend. Each of these specialties has its dedicated “mini-site” that introduces the services proposed as well as their delivery process. The mini site covering weight loss and metabolic surgery actually contains such a wealth of information that it could be spun off as a standalone website. The new English website also incorporates social media; there are links to the Min-Sheng International blog, to a brand new facebook page, and patients’ testimonials videos have been uploaded on YouTube.

Min-Sheng General Hospital has long been at the forefront of international healthcare in Taiwan, and the new website reiterates the hospital’s commitment to providing outstanding service to foreign patients.

Min-Sheng's Bariatric Center welcomes Singapore nurses for clinical attachment

Min-sheng General Hospital has long been a leader for bariatric surgery in Asia. The Bariatic Center at Min-Sheng performs more than 450 bariatric surgeries a year, more than any other hospital in the region. One fourth of the Center’s patients are now people suffering from diabetes Type II with a profile that makes them candidates for potential diabetes remission after bariatric surgery. As a consequence, the Center is now referred to as the Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery.

 Hospitals across the region are stepping up efforts to offer this kind of service, and doctors from Korea, Japan, Hong-Kong, Singapore, and Vietnam regularly attend training at Min-Sheng’s Bariatric Center under Professor Lee Wei-Jei, an authority on the subject for over ten years. Foreign hospitals are also keen to upgrade their nurses’ skills in the treatment of bariatric patients; Min-Sheng recently welcomed two nurses from Singapore General Hospital for a month-long clinical attachment to observe the hospital’s bariatric care program. Miss Foo focused her training on the screening process and case management of bariatric patients, whereas Miss Toh was more involved in the surgical nursing aspect of the program. They were both thrilled by the learning opportunities offered by the high volume of bariatric patients treated at Min-Sheng General Hospital.

Min-Sheng General Hospital enters cooperation agreement with Singapore firm

Min-Sheng General Hospital has entered a cooperation agreement with Woodsford Health of Singapore to become its service providers in Taiwan. Woodsford Health is part of the Woodsford Group, an investment advisory firm based in Singapore with a client base in the UK, China, and other parts of Asia.

Many of Woodsford clients are individuals who travel frequently for business or leisure, and need the peace of mind that comes from knowing that they can access first class medical services wherever they go. Woodsford Health also caters to other international patients, who choose to travel overseas to access the best possible healthcare. The company helps these patients make informed healthcare decisions and plan their travel arrangements.

Minnesotan travels a long way from home for hip surgery

In many ways Doug’s story is representative of the situation many people in North America find themselves in. Self-employed or running a small business, they live a reasonably comfortable life yet they are unable or unwilling to pay for healthcare insurance. When disaster strikes or their health deteriorates, they are usually faced with a tough choice: either find the financial resources to cover the cost of treatment, or delay treatment with potentially dire consequences.

Doug runs a small business installing air-conditioning and central heating units in Minnesota. Years of lugging around heavy fixtures and moving up and down ladders have taken their toll on his body, leading to a limping gait and other musculoskeletal problems. Doug had been putting off the inevitable for as long as he could, but things had gotten so bad that it impaired his ability to work and therefore earn an income. The people who saw him walk would invariably say “You need a hip”, and it wouldn’t be long before it got too late.

Like more than fifty million Americans Doug doesn’t have health insurance, and he is still years away from qualifying for Medicare. For people without health insurance, a total hip replacement will cost $40,000 on average in the United States. So Doug started looking for alternatives outside of his home country, and after a process of elimination that took into consideration total cost, reputation, safety, and other geopolitical factors, he decided that he would travel to Taiwan for hip surgery. After contacting and dealing with various hospitals there, he elected to have the procedure done at Min-Sheng General Hospital in Taoyuan.

Min-Sheng General Hospital has long been a leader in the field of medical travel in Taiwan, and has acquired a lot of experience dealing with patients from western countries. Moreover, the hospital’s proximity to the country’s main international airport makes it a convenient choice for those traveling from abroad. The International Healthcare Center at Min-Sheng made all the arrangements for and coordinated Doug’s stay and treatment in Taiwan. Before proceeding with a total hip replacement, Doug who hadn’t seen a doctor in a while and is overweight had a comprehensive health screening. He also met with his surgeon and anesthesiologist to discuss the procedure and the type of implant that would be used; Doug was impressed that the artificial hip that would be used was one of the latest models of a famous American brand.

The surgery and ensuing recovery went very well. Patients undergoing invasive surgeries are advised not to fly for a period of at least two weeks after surgery to minimize the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) associated with long periods of immobilization, and since Doug had travelled to Taiwan alone the staff at Min-Sheng had insisted he stay in the hospital until his departure. Doug was a model patient and followed his doctor, nurses, and physiotherapist instructions scrupulously. He also endeared himself to everyone by showing a keen and genuine interest in the local culture and customs.

By the time Doug left the hospital and Taiwan, he was already walking steadily. He was also convinced that he had made the right choice by traveling to Min-Sheng for treatment. Things were looking up for Doug and before leaving he announced:”I will see you again in a few years…for the other hip!”

Min-Sheng General Hospital welcomes new director to its Orthopedic Department

Min-Sheng General Hospital recently welcomed a new valuable addition to its already strong orthopedic team. Professor Wu Sing-Cheng has joined Min-Sheng General Hospital and will be leading the department of orthopedic surgery. Trained in Taiwan and the United States, Professor Wu specialized in spine surgery, joints replacement and reconstruction, and the treatment of trauma and osteoarthritis patients. Under his leadership Min-Sheng General Hospital will develop further its endoscopic capabilities, and offer additional options for the minimally invasive treatment of some orthopedic conditions.

Min-Sheng General Hospital regularly treats foreign patients who travel to Taiwan for joint replacement or spine surgery. These patients are attracted by the high quality of care provided by Min-Sheng General Hospital, as well as the short waiting time and competitive pricing for surgeries.

Min-Sheng General Hospital and UnitedHealthcare International enter direct billing agreement

Min-Sheng General Hospital and UnitedHealthcare International have entered an agreement that will enable UnitedHealthcare’ Global Solutions members to enjoy cashless services for emergency treatment and hospitalization in Taiwan. UnitedHealthcare is one of the largest private health insurers in America, but only recently introduced a policy integrating medical, wellness, and employee assistance programs for international assignees. It has opened an office in Beijing and pitches its Global Solutions program to international companies with staff based in, or often traveling to the Greater China Region. UnitedHealthcare is also developing a network of preferred-providers to service its members in the region and it chose Min-Sheng General Hospital to be one of its first contracted partners in Taiwan.

Min-Sheng General Hospital has acquired a strong reputation dealing with international patients and has entered similar agreements with many insurance companies. Yet, this agreement is particular in that it allows for members based in China to choose to have medical treatment or services (like the yearly preventive health screenings often offered as incentive to personnel deployed overseas) at Min-Sheng General Hospital in Taiwan, even if they are not based in Taiwan, after eligibility has been confirmed.

Min-Sheng presented with Excellence Service Award by TIHTC

Min-Sheng General Hospital was presented with the 2012 TIHTC Excellence Service Award for its contribution to the development and reputation of Taiwan’s medical services abroad. Established in 2002 by the Department of Health, the Taiwan International Healthcare Training Center (TIHTC) aims to develop international medical relations, and offers international medical training programs and other medical services.

Min-Sheng General Hospital has long been promoting its services overseas, and sees a steady flow of international patients attracted by the quality of care and service that it provides. The hospital’s reputation as an international center for bariatric surgery also lures doctors from many Asian countries seeking training in laparascopic surgical techniques.

Min-Sheng General Hospital enters agreement with Chinese medical tourism company

Min-Sheng General Hospital recently signed an agreement with ZION Health Control and Youth Rejuvenation Center (Zion), a Guanhzhou based company specializing in cosmetic and anti-aging treatments in upscale facilities in China. The company offers a membership program and targets affluent customers in China’s main urban centers.

As part of the agreement, ZION will send its members to Taiwan for yearly check-ups and tests that cannot be performed locally. The first groups of patients sent by ZION have already been services at the VIP Health Screening Center located on the 21^st floor of Min-Sheng General Hospital.

Japanese healthcare company visits Min-Sheng General Hospital

A management team from Nichii-Carenet Company, led by its President Mr. Daisuke Terada, visited Min-Sheng General Hospital at the end of a tour of facilities on the Chinese mainland. Nichii Carenet which is part of the publicly listed Nichii Group is one of Japan’s largest healthcare companies, and is active in the manufacturing of medical assisting devices, at-home care services, and facility care services.

The company has embarked in an expansion plan outside Japan and plans to establish an extensive network of long-term care facilities in China within the next five years. The aim of the visit was to discuss possible synergies and ways to cooperate with Min-Sheng in the long-term care business in Taiwan and China. Min-Sheng General Hospital is part of the Missioncare Group that already operates four nursing homes in the Taoyuan area and was recently granted the management rights of another facility in northern China.

Potential benefits of gastric plication in the treatment of obesity discussed at 3rd ADSS

Doctors who recently gathered at Min-Sheng General Hospital for the third Asian Diabetes Surgery Summit (ADSS) discussed the potential benefits and limitations of gastric plication in the treatment of obesity. Although surgical procedures like the gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy have shown excellent results in the long term treatment of obesity, some patients are reluctant to undergo such a procedure which they see as too radical and irreversible (in the case of the gastrectomy).

Until recently, the only option for these patients was the gastric banding, a restrictive procedure that has been used for many years now. Unfortunately, studies have shown that although effective in reducing weight in the couple of years after the band was applied, the gastric banding success rates at five years and beyond dip dramatically. The procedure is also less suitable for Asian patients due to local diets that are rich in soft and semi-liquid foods which pass easily through the restrictive ring.

A gastric plication decreases the size of the stomach without removing sections of the stomach or implanting a restricting device. It decreases the volume of the stomach by folding the stomach inwardly, and suturing the folds, reducing the stomach volume and therefore limiting food intake. It is a relatively new procedure for people who want to reduce their weight, but are uncomfortable with the idea of having a part of their stomach removed or an assisting device implanted. The results following a gastric plication are encouraging; however the long term outcome has yet to be established. Yet, studies undertaken in Taiwan and elsewhere show that the procedure’s long term efficiency is improved when it is coupled with a gastric banding. In other words, the long term outcome is better for a combination of gastric plication and gastric banding than for these procedures when performed individually.

The bariatric center at Min-Sheng General Hospital has successfully performed nearly 4000 bariatric surgeries, and offers both the gastric plication, and a combination of plication and banding as an option for its patients.

Min-Sheng General Hospital to receive Chinese medical tourists

Min-Sheng General Hospital has been granted permission by the Taiwan Department of Health to receive patients from the Chinese mainland for treatment, and to support their application for a medical visa. Although the scheme is theoretically designed for Chinese tourists travelling in groups and those travelling individually, it is likely that most will do so as part of a package tour. In such case, the medical component of the package will only be an add-on, and not the main purpose of the trip to Taiwan.

Personalized service, cutting edge technology, and competitive pricing are a draw for Chinese medical tourists, who will at first mostly seek health screenings, light cosmetic surgery, and anti-aging treatments. However, Min-Sheng hopes to build on its reputation, and experience treating international patients from Europe and North America to attract Chinese patients looking for spine surgery and bariatric surgery.