Taiwan national parks partner with hospital to provide telemedicine

Taiwan’s national parks are set to improve visitor safety through a new partnership with Taipei Veterans General Hospital.

The National Park Service and the hospital signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday. Under the agreement, park staff can access the hospital’s telemedicine system for immediate guidance during emergencies, ensuring timely care even in remote outdoor locations.

During large-scale park events or periods of high visitor traffic, the hospital will also provide on-site medical personnel and set up temporary first-aid stations. Beyond immediate care, the two agencies will develop priority patient transfer procedures and interagency coordination mechanisms to strengthen visitor safety in Taiwan’s outdoor spaces.

Hospital Director Chen Wei-ming (陳威明) said national parks are among the country’s most treasured assets. He said the partnership merges medical expertise with environmental conservation, creating new opportunities to promote public health and support sustainable development.

The collaboration extends beyond emergency care. The National Parks Administration plans to work with Taipei Veterans General Hospital and its affiliated branches in Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung to screen 17 conservation-themed films covering national parks, wetlands, and coastlines.

The films will be shown in hospital public areas. They aim to comfort patients, caregivers, and families while promoting awareness of Taiwan’s natural heritage and easing the stress of medical visits and long-term care.

Taiwan has nine national parks. Among them, Yangmingshan National Park in northern Taiwan drew the highest number of visitors in 2024, with 6.4 million over the year.