About the Department

The Nephrology Department at Taipei Veterans General Hospital Hsinchu Branch has been providing hemodialysis care for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients since the establishment of its Hemodialysis Center on December 24, 1984. With over 40 years of dedicated service to uremic patients in the Hsinchu region, the department remains a leader in renal care.

In October 2008, the hospital established a Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Unit, offering patients an alternative renal replacement therapy — peritoneal dialysis.

Due to the high prevalence of kidney disease in Taiwan — which ranks among the highest in the world — the department formed a Kidney Disease Prevention Task Force in October 2006. This initiative provides early-stage care for patients at risk of ESRD, actively participates in national health programs, and conducts early screening and preventive measures for various kidney diseases. To date, the program has enrolled over 2,000 patients and has been certified as a Renal Health Promotion Institution since 2011.

Recognizing the growing kidney patient population, the department launched the Kidney Health Newsletter in 2015 to share in-depth and practical kidney care information. The newsletter features not only medical guidance but also expert contributions from various specialties.

In 2016, the department formed the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Care Center, marking a new era in kidney care. Given that diabetes is now a leading cause of ESRD, the center collaborates closely with the Diabetes Education Unit and Dietitians to combat diabetic nephropathy and slow CKD progression.

Supported by hospital leadership, the center also collaborates with military medical units and vascular access teams across the Taoyuan-Hsinchu-Miaoli region to ensure rapid and effective dialysis access care. These integrated efforts provide the greater Chutung area with comprehensive and high-quality renal support services.

In recent years, the Internal Medicine Department has combined care for diabetes, kidney disease, and other chronic illnesses under the Internal Medicine Health Education Center, offering digital education through Facebook and multi-disciplinary care involving physicians, nurse educators, and dietitians.

The Nephrology Department continuously strives to improve care quality. It has received numerous accolades under the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Quality Improvement Program:

• Excellence Award for Regional Hospitals in 2020 and 2021

• Model Award in 2022

• The Hemodialysis Center also received the National Quality Label (SNQ) with the theme: “Empowering Lives Through Diverse Dialysis Support”, earning recognition as one of Taiwan’s Outstanding Medical Teams.

Today, the Department of Nephrology is the leading kidney care provider in the greater Chutung region and remains committed to delivering top-tier renal healthcare.

Services Provided

1. Diagnosis and Treatment of kidney, urinary tract, and electrolyte disorders, including:

   • Hematuria, proteinuria

   • Frequent urination, polyuria

   • Hypernatremia/hyponatremia, hyperkalemia/hypokalemia

   • Metabolic acidosis/alkalosis and other electrolyte imbalances

   • Primary and secondary glomerulonephritis

   • Diabetic nephropathy

   • Hypertensive nephropathy

   • Acute and chronic renal failure

   • Uremia

   • Hemodialysis & Peritoneal Dialysis

   • Urinary tract infections

   • Hereditary kidney diseases

   • General internal medicine conditions

2. Kidney Disease Education and Consultation:

   • Health education and counseling services for high-risk groups and patients with early or late-stage CKD.

   • Interdisciplinary care involving physicians, nurses, and dietitians.

3. Dialysis Services:

   • Comprehensive care for both Hemodialysis (HD) and Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) patients.

Facilities & Environment

• Hemodialysis Center

  • Dedicated facility with advanced equipment and a supportive care environment

• Peritoneal Dialysis Unit

  • Specially designed for comfortable and safe peritoneal dialysis care

• CKD Education Room

  • A space for individualized health education on renal disease prevention and management

Additional Information

• Outpatient schedules and latest hospital updates
  Taipei Veterans General Hospital Hsinchu Branch Facebook

• Internal Medicine & Patient Education News
  TVGH Hsinchu Internal Medicine Education Center

Contact Information

• General Appointments & Scheduling:
  (03) 596‑2134 ext. 440

• Dialysis Center Consultation:
  (03) 596‑2134 ext. 335, 336, 318

• CKD Nursing & Nutrition Consultation:
  (03) 596‑2134 ext. 333

Media Coverage

• China Times: Don’t Ignore These Symptoms — Lower Back Pain Could Be a Sign to Seek Immediate Care

• Liberty Times Health: Proper Home Blood Pressure Monitoring — The First Step in Kidney Disease Prevention

• Yahoo News: Is Your Lower Back Pain From Your Waist or Kidneys? Doctors Say It Shouldn’t Be Ignored

• Health News for Chinese Communities: Muscle Loss and Aging — Osteocalcin as a New Tool to Combat Sarcopenia