Penghu faces nursing staff shortage; County Government forms strategic alliance with nursing college to address deficit

AI Summary (NQ-processed)

The Penghu County Government and Yu Ying Medical and Nursing College in Kaohsiung have signed a strategic alliance for nursing talent cultivation to address Penghu's nursing staff shortage. Deputy County Mayor Lin Chieh-hsing stated that the county government has been promoting nursing education since 2023 and collaborating with six domestic medical and nursing colleges on a public-funded student program. This alliance with Yu Ying Medical and Nursing College will not only recruit new students but also provide a pathway for self-funded students to become public-funded, leveraging the college's professional training capabilities. Yu Ying Medical and Nursing College Chairman Hou Ming-feng noted the college's high national license pass rate for nursing and that 16 Penghu students are currently enrolled. Health Bureau Director Chen Shu-chuan emphasized the goal of "localized healthcare," with the first batch of public-funded students expected to return to Penghu next year. This alliance is anticipated to further alleviate the nursing shortage on the outlying islands and enhance local healthcare quality.