Preventive healthcare activities in Taiwan will soon earn health-points which can later be redeemed for health-related products or services.
The new initiative announced by Taiwan’s ministry of health and welfare is planned to be launched in the first quarter of 2026. It is designed to encourage preventive healthcare. Participants will earn points for activities ranging from free flu vaccinations to self-paid medical screenings.
Announcing the initiative health minister Shih Chung-liang said it aims to provide immediate, tangible incentives for motivation. He said participation in cancer screening programmes has stagnated in recent years, despite widespread awareness of their importance.
Mr Chung-liang said that traditional public health messages often focus on long-term benefits, such as staying healthier or reducing national health insurance costs, which can feel abstract to many. He said the ministry is still finalising the finer details of the programme.
He said, however, the programme may begin with publicly funded initiatives in coordination with the Centres for Disease Control and the Health Promotion Administration. Future partnerships may involve the ministry of education and the Sports Administration to broaden participation.
The health-points could be used with private partners, including gyms, pharmacies, or wellness brands, to offset the cost of memberships, supplements, or other health products.