A little girl howled desperately. She didn't want to see the doctors. A nurse gave her a doll to distract her attention. She stopped crying and broke into a smile.

Established a year ago, the Modern Children's Hospital has such a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere that it hardly seems like a medical facility. Few of the tensions and pressures usually found in a hospital are present. Following psychologists' advice, warm colors such as yellow and orange dominate the hospital's decor, since they are more reassuring to children and less frightening than hospital white. The children feel at home among the familiar faces of their cartoon friends which decorate the walls. Instead of squirming in a grim waiting room crowded with crying children and their distraught parents, the tiny patients wait for their appointments in a playroom filled with toys, bright colors, and cheerful activity. Specially designed tongue depressors with a sweet coating, a miniature counter to claim medicine, as well as some enlightened designs for equipment and facilities in the hospital, ensure the children will not rebel against being examined.

The hospital has also removed some of the mystery from medical visits by using easily recognizable symbols which help the children to understand where they are going and what goes on behind the closed doors.

The Modern Children's Hospital was financed by a group of businessmen who wanted to develop a health care system which would deal with all facets of a child's life. To this end, they collected money to begin a children's welfare association, which would help families and schools meet the needs of children's emotional, mental, and physical growth. To assure the children receive the best care, 30 experienced pediatricians are required not only to show their love but also to analyze the problems inherent in existing pediatric treatment so as to improve service and overcome difficulties in administering a children's hospital.

Now, in almost every general hospital, an outpatient department for children is set up to provide the most convenient health care.

In order to extend health care to every corner of the island, the government established public health clinics, the basic sanitary units, in every village, town and district in Taiwan. At present, there are a total of 363 such clinics, of which 16 are located in Taipei, providing free services such as birth control aids and inoculation against tuberculosis, diphtheria, poliomyelitis, Japanese encephalitis and cholera. The number and scope of such services are growing every year. Parents are trained to choose food that has high and balanced nutrition, and are reminded on the importance of regular health check-ups to prevent the insidious onset of disease.

The nurses also seek out contacts with the district's residents instead of just waiting for them to come when they have problems.

Other community programs include periodic parent and child discussion groups, and free medical advice provided to instill correct sanitary knowledge in local residents.

Since children of primary school age are extremely prone to accidental injuries, clinics in every school provide a vital service in the form of efficient medical aid. About 10 years ago, medical facilities in schools were simple and crude, and teachers doubled up as nurses. Today, health care centers in schools are like miniature hospitals, staffed by nurses who have received special training in nursing and children's psychology.

These health care centers function exactly the same as public health clinics. Preventive inoculation and health check-up sessions are held periodically, and teachers cooperate with doctors and parents in preventing diseases.