Taiwan’s new southbound policy kicks off; Healthcare union of Asian countries formed
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW)-led New Southbound Market Healthcare Union, established on 26 June, seeks to tap into the medical and health market in Southeast Asia.
Six countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand are enjoined inTaiwan’s “One Nation One Platform” programme. As partner nations, Taiwan will provide assistance under the New Southbound Policy in developing medical techniques, reports said.
Meanwhile, 17 medical institutions signed up as members of the union, including Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Linkou), Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, National Taiwan University Hospital, Mackay Memorial Hospital, China Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, E-Da Hospital, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Changhua Christian Hospital, Tung’s Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Chi Mei Medical Centre, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, and Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital
Director-General Shih Chung-liang of MOHW Department of Medical Affairs,added that MOHW plans to ease regulations on remote medical services, cell therapy, and study programmes in Taiwan for foreign medical workers.
Walter Yeh, an official from the Taiwan External Trade Development Council, cited statistics that more than 305,000 patients from other countries visited Taiwan in 2017 for medical treatment, 33.17% of whom were from Southeast Asia.
With the founding of the union, Taiwan eyes unlocking the potential of the medical service market in the Southeast Asian region, and hopes to benefit from increased medical equipment exports, personnel training opportunities, and patient referrals, said Yeh.
The New Southbound Policy is a crucial part of Taiwan’s economic and trade strategy in the faceof increasing regional economic integration as well as new challenges and business opportunities linked to the integration trend. The Taiwanese government under its incumbent president, aims to pursue bilateral partnerships and promote exchanges of talent, capital, technology, culture and education.
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