The ministry in November last year launched a pilot UCC program to provide urgent medical care at 13 clinics in the nation’s six special municipalities over weekends and on holidays, aimed at relieving pressure on crowded ERs. President William Lai gives a speech at Taipei City Hospital’s Xinyi Branch Clinic yesterday. “After hearing every department’s report, I am happy to see their high morale,” he said, adding that he believes the ministry, with the help of local health departments and healthcare facilities at all levels, could readily solve the holiday overcrowding problem. People visit the urgent care center at Taipei City Hospital’s Xinyi Branch Clinic yesterday. With the NT$1.6 billion subsidies, the portion of healthcare facilities open during the holiday has increased to about 76 percent of hospitals, 45 percent of primary clinics, and 30 to 60 percent of pharmacies, Chen said.

Source: Taipei Times February 14, 2026 17:22 UTC