President Tsai lauds Taiwan’s biomedical prowess

2021/02/20

President Tsai Ing-wen said Feb. 18 that Taiwan’s biotechnology and medical care industries are playing a critical role in safeguarding global health while spurring the country’s economic development.
 
 Taiwan’s effective COVID-19 response is receiving widespread recognition from the international community, Tsai said. The invaluable contributions of those largely unsung heroes warrant public recognition, she added.
 
 Tsai made the remarks during a reception for recipients of the National Biotechnology and Medical Care Quality Award at the Presidential Office in Taipei City.
 
 Standout NBMCQA honorees include the gold-winning Fabry team from Taipei Veterans General Hospital for developing a large-scale database, advanced screening technologies and treatment center for the rare genetic disorder, as well as the silver-winning lymphedema team from Linkou Chan Gung Memorial Hospital and cardiac arrest team from National Taiwan University Hospital for improving the success rates for surgery and post-operative recovery.
 
 According to Tsai, another key area in which Taiwan talents are making a real difference is combating coronavirus. Two locally produced vaccines are undergoing phase II clinical trials, she said, adding that the government is supporting this progress by securing access to COVID-19 vaccines from sources at home and abroad.
 
 Tsai said these efforts are in tandem with ongoing efforts to strengthen the position of Taiwan industries in realigned post-pandemic global supply chains as per the objectives of the six core strategic industries initiative.
 
 Unveiled by Tsai during her May inauguration address, the initiative springboards off the five-plus-two innovative industries program. It comprises information and digital technology; cybersecurity; biotech and medical technology; national defense; green and renewable energy; and strategic stockpile industries.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)