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.