Shuangfu Christian Hospital in Minxiong Opens, Making Healthcare More Convenient for Seniors

(Central News Agency reporter Tsai Chih-ming, Chiayi County, July 14) The Shuangfu Christian Hospital, built at a cost of NT$800 million and located in Wenlong Village, Minxiong Township, Chiayi County, was officially inaugurated today. It provides a wide range of medical services, including specialty outpatient clinics, acute care beds, hemodialysis, surgery, rehabilitation, and early intervention, making it easier for seniors to access healthcare without long travel.

The opening of Shuangfu Christian Hospital—the first branch of Chiayi Christian Hospital—was attended by over a hundred guests, including Lin Ching-i, Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare; Weng Chang-liang, Magistrate of Chiayi County; and various medical professionals from Chiayi City and County.

Lin Ching-i stated in her speech that the opening of Shuangfu Hospital is highly significant. Elderly residents in rural areas can now reduce their travel distance for medical care. In Taipei, such a distance might be just two metro stops, but in this region, it can be extremely far—sometimes requiring children to return home during their limited time off to transport their elderly parents for treatment. The situations are entirely different.

As a physician, Lin said she has always believed that healthcare professionals are entrusted with a divine mission and responsibility. Chiayi County is vast and suffers from limited medical resources. She expressed deep gratitude to Chiayi Christian Hospital—a regional critical care hospital—for establishing a branch in the countryside, benefiting seniors and local residents.

Weng Chang-liang noted that Chiayi Christian Hospital is not only opening a branch in Minxiong but also plans to open one in Yizhu. The county government hopes the hospital will also establish a branch in Zhongpu, forming a triangular network to ensure balanced development of medical resources across Chiayi County. He also urged the central government to provide greater support in this regard.

According to Chiayi Christian Hospital, the exterior design of Shuangfu Hospital is inspired by the concept of the 'Ark,' symbolizing the biblical story of Noah’s Ark—carrying and saving lives. The building has five floors above ground and one basement level, with 45 acute care beds, 25 hemodialysis stations, and two operating rooms. It is equipped with a '640-slice panoramic AI CT scanner,' comparable to those in top-tier medical centers in northern Taiwan. Physicians from various specialties at Chiayi Christian Hospital will support clinical services.

Additionally, recognizing that many elderly patients are cared for by foreign caregivers and that the neighboring industrial zones host numerous migrant workers and marriage immigrants, the hospital has carefully designed and implemented multicultural, multilingual, and patient-friendly medical services. The goal is to make everyone feel 'at home' while being 'in Jia' (Chiayi). (Edited by Li Heng-shan) 1150714