Taipei, May 15, 2008 (CENS)--e health of officials in Taiwan has become a hot topic since the sudden demise Liao Feng-te from a heart attack, the would-be Interior Minister of the new government to be sworn in on May 20.

Te official budget for annual physicals for each government official is now only NT$16,000(US$500 at US$1 = NT$32) per year, which is believed inadequate for a thorough check-up that would cost about NT$70,000 (US$2,188) per person, which includes using position emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer tomography (CT).

Insiders estimate Taiwan`s physical check-up market at NT$15-20 billion (US$469-625 million) per year, which would likely grow 15% yearly. Such promising outlook has drawn national-caliber hospitals and leading private hospitals to eagerly tap such segment, including National Taiwan University Hospital, Veteran General Hospital, Tri Service General Hospital, Shin Kong Wu Ho Su Memorial Hospital, Cathay General Hospital and several Taipei municipals hospitals.
(by Judy Li)