Source 【09/11/2013 Central News Agency】@ http://udn.com/
09.11. 2013 02:18 pm

The Ministry of Health and Welfare published the first list of 12 hospitals and clinics that obtained a "Medical Cosmetic Certificate" today. These hospitals and clinics are authorized by the government. They are safe and legitimate for citizens to use. All related doctors will have to engage in advanced studies to obtain a certificate.

The 12 hospitals and clinics on the list are: Taipei Dr. Lin Skin Clinic, Alexander Aesthetic Surgery Clinic, University Ophthalmology Clinic (Sinnan), Lianhe Plastic Surgery Clinic, Flora Cosmetic Clinic, Chung Shan Medical Corporation Aggregate Singcyun Clinic, Taipei Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, New Taipei City Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Chiayi City Fu Lin Clinic,Tainan Chi Mei Hospital and Kaohsiung City Dr. Tsao's Clinic of Plastic Surgery.

The certificates are valid for two years. Among the authenticated hospitals/clinics, Dr. Lin Skin Clinic and Fu Lin Clinic received Green Label Certificates; others acquired both Green and Pink labels.

The Taiwan Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation which performed the authentication process stated that Medical Cosmetic Certificates were divided into Green and Pink labels. The certified treatments for the green label include photoelectric treatment, laser treatments such as laser spot lightening, wrinkle removal by intense pulsed light, radio wave face lifting, and hyaluronic acid and Botox injections. The certified treatments for the pink label include breast implants, liposuction, rhinoplasty, double eyelid surgery, bone contouring and other cosmetic surgeries.

The director of Fu Lin Clinic, Yu-Liang Fu commented that obtaining certificates from the government would promote the clinics’ business. The fee of NT $62,000 for applying for a certificate and assessment was a minor matter. It was, however, quite inconvenient for doctors to obtain green label certificates as it required the completion of 30 credits (one credit takes one hour, at a tuition fee of NT$5,000). The Medical Association has cancelled classes several times, as the class location was unfavorable for doctors who live in central or southern Taiwan. He would like to try hard to complete 30 credits within a year.

"Another reason for cancelling classes is that many medical cosmetic private practices are boycotting them. Private practices have been considering awarding certificates and setting up classes on their own to compete with the official ones; however the matter was left unsettled," the vice minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ming-Neng Shiu remarked.

According to the "Medical Cosmetic Educational Training Course Guidelines" which were stipulated by the departments of dermatology, plastic surgery and anesthesiology commissioned by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the doctors that perform photoelectric treatment must receive 30 hours of related training; for injection treatment, 30 hours of training and for cosmetic surgery 100 hours of training is mandatory.