Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou recognised for neonatal vision care programme at Healthcare Asia Awards 2026

The initiative strengthened access to advanced retinopathy of prematurity treatment and helped reduce long-term costs.

Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou received the Health and Wellness Initiative of the Year - Taiwan accolade at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2026 for its holistic care programme addressing Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a leading cause of childhood blindness. The initiative established a structured national model for screening, treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up, ensuring that premature infants in Taiwan could access specialised care without the need to travel overseas.

Retinopathy of prematurity previously required families to seek treatment overseas for advanced disease stages, with surgical procedures costing approximately NT$2m per case in the United States. Limited local expertise created delays and placed additional financial pressure on families. In 2006, advanced surgical techniques were introduced at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, following specialised overseas training. The Newborn Visual Care Team was subsequently established, comprising 20 ophthalmologists, three paediatricians, and 10 researchers, combining clinical service with integrated research and data analysis.

A structured screening protocol required ophthalmologists to complete follow-up assessments within 24 hours of the initial consultation. Premature infants in whom retinopathy was not detected underwent examinations every two weeks until full retinal vascularisation. For Type 1 retinopathy of prematurity, surgical intervention was performed within three days in accordance with international treatment guidelines. Since 2010, 748 eyes from 386 patients have received laser or intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment. Only 4.1% of cases progressed to severe stages, compared with 12% reported in earlier studies.

Advanced-stage cases requiring vitrectomy involved 105 eyes in 70 patients, with a 93.9% success rate for stage four retinopathy of prematurity. No cases of infection related to surgery or intravitreal injection were recorded. Longitudinal research conducted at the hospital found no significant neurodevelopmental impairment associated with anti-VEGF therapy.

The economic impact was substantial. Performing 100 vitrectomy procedures locally avoided approximately NT$200m in overseas surgical costs. Preventing lifelong disability also reduced potential lifetime government subsidy expenditure estimated at NT$4.4m per patient, translating into approximately NT$444m in long-term national savings for every 100 children treated.

In 2024, patient and family satisfaction surveys showed that 100% of respondents reported being satisfied or very satisfied with overall care, reflecting consistent clinical delivery and effective coordination across departments.

Healthcare Asia Awards is an awards programme focused on acknowledging exceptional hospitals across Asia that redefine the standards of excellence in the healthcare industry. It proudly shines a spotlight on Asian hospitals that consistently go beyond conventional boundaries to provide top-tier patient care and have a lasting impact on their local communities.

The Healthcare Asia Awards is presented by Healthcare Asia Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2027 awards programme and be acclaimed for your organisation's remarkable initiatives and contributions to the healthcare industry, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez-Difuntorum at [email protected].