As part of the Cabinet reshuffle, the Ministry of Health and Welfare will undergo key personnel changes. Chiu, Tai-Yuan will step down as minister and will be succeeded by current National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) Director-General Shih Chung-liang. Following the retirement of former Administrative Deputy Minister Chou Jih-haw, the vacant position will be filled by Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Director-General Chuang, Jen-Hsiang. With Chuang’s promotion, Deputy Director-General Lo, Yi-Chun is considered the leading candidate to head the CDC. Meanwhile, the successor to oversee the NHIA, which manages nearly NT$1 trillion in annual budget, has yet to be announced.
Shih did not publicly comment on his appointment yesterday. He had been scheduled to attend the Executive Yuan’s Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry Strategy in the afternoon but canceled at the last minute. Sources indicated that he will address the matter today, after Premier CHO JUNG TAI makes the official announcement. During his tenure at the NHIA, Shih spearheaded numerous reforms to the National Health Insurance system. Known for his flexibility, diplomatic skills, and high emotional intelligence, he is widely regarded as one of the most capable policy communicators within the ministry.
Chuang, Jen-Hsiang publicly expressed gratitude for the support he received while serving as CDC director. He said the trust and professionalism he experienced are invaluable, and as he transitions to his new role, he looks forward to continuing his efforts at the ministry and hopes for the same support and guidance from colleagues and stakeholders.
Chiu, Tai-Yuan, who had long faced speculation about his resignation, was rumored to have been asked to step down but unwilling to submit a resignation letter. Reports even claimed he had started packing up his office earlier this week, though aides denied this. After confirmation of his departure, Chiu released a written statement through ministry staff, saying: “I fully support the administrative team’s adjustments. No matter the role, I am committed to contributing to public health and national development. I hope all sectors will continue advancing the Healthy Taiwan initiative to make our people healthier.”
Reports suggest that Lo, Yi-Chun, nicknamed the “national son-in-law,” is the frontrunner to become the next CDC director. Lo responded that ministry personnel changes are determined by the Executive Yuan and that he had no knowledge of the matter. He noted that Taiwan’s disease control system has built strong coordination mechanisms since COVID-19, and the selection of the new CDC director should be left to the incoming minister. He added that he personally welcomes the possibility of an external expert bringing fresh perspectives to the CDC.
Shih Chung-liang, an emergency medicine specialist trained at National Taiwan University, began his public service career at the Department of Health alongside then-Director-General Lin, Fang-Yue. He later served as Director of the Department of Medical Affairs and the Department of Planning. After the Department of Health was reorganized into the Ministry of Health and Welfare, he successively held posts including Director-General of the Department of Planning, Chief Secretary, Director-General of the Department of Medical Affairs, and Administrative Deputy Minister. In his two years as NHIA Director-General, he actively implemented reforms, accelerated the inclusion of new drugs, adjusted drug pricing, and introduced new mechanisms such as the Cancer Drug Fund and hospital-specific global budgets.
Chuang, Jen-Hsiang, who gained public prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the so-called “Anti-Pandemic Mayday” team, graduated from the School of Medicine at National Yang-Ming University and earned a master’s degree in public health there. He later received a doctorate in biomedical informatics from Columbia University in the U.S. After returning to Taiwan in 2003 during the SARS outbreak, he was recruited into the CDC for his expertise in medical big data at a time when Taiwan’s information systems were unable to provide real-time analysis. Rising through the ranks from associate researcher, he played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 crisis and eventually became director-general of the CDC.
Resource: 石崇良接衛福部長 署長任內積極改革健保
