KCGMH head honored for medical diplomacy

2015-03-20

Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Superintendent Dr. Chen Chao-long was awarded a Friend of Foreign Service Medal March 18 in recognition of his contributions to advancing Taiwan’s diplomacy.

“It is an honor to present this medal to Chen and extend the government’s appreciation of his invaluable contributions to enhancing Taiwan’s international profile as a provider of humanitarian aid,” Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lin said at the ceremony.

“A true pioneer in the field of liver transplantation, Chen headed Taiwan’s international medical cooperation throughout his decadeslong career,” Lin said, adding that the medico tirelessly promoted professional exchanges between Taiwan and Europe, Japan, the Philippines and U.S., while assisting ROC diplomatic allies in Central and South America strengthen liver disease treatment capabilities.

According to Lin, Chen visited the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Paraguay last month to share his experiences and help the three diplomatic allies set up national liver transplant centers.

“The one in Guatemala grew out of a Ministry of Foreign Affairs mission led by Chen in September 2010. It has given new hope to more than 4,600 people with liver disease in that country, including a boy with congenital biliary atresia saved by the doctor’s reduced-size liver transplantation in 2013.”

In response, Chen said medical expertise should be shared by all and used to save lives. “Taiwan’s medical accomplishments were achieved with assistance from overseas in the past, and it is now our turn to give back. I am honored to play my part.”

Chen shot to fame in 1984 after performing Asia’s first successful liver transplant and received a special commendation from President Ma Ying-jeou in 2012 for completing his 1,000th transplant.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=228465&CtNode=413)