Taiwan’s medical diplomacy boosts ties with partners

2016/04/12

Growing public and private sector efforts have seen Taiwan emerge as a significant provider of international humanitarian assistance and medical aid around the world.

Medical diplomacy plays an important role in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ efforts to strengthen relations with partner nations. In recent years, the ministry has diversified cooperation with local health care institutions so as to further enhance the quality of its international projects.

A standout achievement in this regard is the post-baccalaureate medical school program offered by southern Taiwan’s I-Shou University to international students. By the end of 2015, a total of 108 students from 17 of the nation’s diplomatic allies had benefitted from this program. To date, 283 foreign students have come to Taiwan to pursue advanced studies in public health and medical care.

Furthermore, the nation has dispatched mobile medical missions, donated equipment and established a referral system for diplomatic allies to enhance the effectiveness of its health care assistance.

According to the MOFA Department of International Cooperation and Economic Affairs, last year 16 mobile missions traveled to the ROC’s six Asia-Pacific allies as well as Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

“These are in addition to three long-term medical missions in Burkina Faso, Sao Tome and Principe, and Swaziland. Similar medical aid, counseling and training projects have also been conducted in allied nations in Latin America,” a MOFA official said.

Such efforts are complemented by training programs in Taiwan for health care professionals from partner countries. The International Cooperation and Development Fund, which organizes the courses, said 32 trainees from 13 nations received instruction last year alone. Participants become seed instructors once they return to their home countries.

“These programs leverage the expertise and extensive clinical experience in Taiwan’s health care sector,” according to the ICDF. “Moving ahead, we plan to deepen cooperation with Asia-Pacific partners by dispatching on-site medical personnel and helping them tackle their most urgent health problems.”

Equally significant are the tie-ups between government agencies and nongovernmental organizations. In the wake of the magnitude 7.9 earthquake that devastated Nepal last April, local NGO Taiwan International Health Action was sent to the South Asian nation to evaluate the situation so that Taiwan could better tailor its medical assistance.

The rapid response of Taiwan groups to this disaster is emblematic of the country’s efforts to promptly offer assistance when disasters strike overseas. Organizations such as the Buddhist Compassion Tzu Chi Foundation, Buddha’s Light International Association, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Red Cross Society of the ROC and Taiwan Root Medical Peace Corps are quick to get boots on the ground in times of need.

Going forward, the MOFA expects to expand such undertakings in order to strengthen its overseas medical cooperation and make further contributions to international health and welfare.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=243738&ctNode=2194&mp=9)