The number of obstetrics and gynecology clinics in Taiwan has been declining at an alarming pace of about 30 per year, but falling birth rates are not the only factor. Medical reform groups believe that defects in the healthcare payment system are also responsible for the problem, and have been calling for more financial incentives for doctors in this branch of medicine.

The low birth rate according to the National Health Insurance Bureau has led to the loss of 122 OB/GYN clinics in the past 10 years.

The Taiwan Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology also state that every year 30-50 hospitals close their OB/GYN departments.

It requires at least 3 doctors to establish a department but because of low birth rates, the cost of operating these departments is too much.

Closing these departments is also related to the national health insurance payment system.

They say that doctors rushing to the hospital early in the morning to deliver a child do not gain the same payment as that of appendix surgery.

In addition, the long working hours in this field and number of malpractice cases also leads fewer physicians into the field.

Civic groups worry that those who will suffer the most are those living in remote areas.

The Taiwan Healthcare Reform Foundation says some adjustments should be made, including health insurance reimbursements.

In recent years, there has been an explosion of cosmetic surgery specialists, as they recommend setting a quota.

Not only is OB/GYN suffering, but so is the pediatrics field as the gap in treatment for women and children will continue to grow between urban and rural areas.

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