President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) says the new Taiwan-funded hospital in Guatemala will be essential for ensuring the country’s good health. Tsai spoke at the National Hospital of Chimaltenango on Sunday, the last day of her official visit to Guatemala.
Tsai says the pandemic has made the world more aware of the importance of good medical care systems. She adds that the hospital’s construction is very meaningful because it used local supplies and Taiwanese technology, and provided economic development and more job opportunities.
The hospital is equipped to provide services to not only the 720,000 Chimaltenango residents, but also the more than 2 million people living in the surrounding area. Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei thanked Taiwan for its friendship and increasing the capacity of the country’s health care system.
Giammattei also promised to continue supporting Taiwan’s sovereignty and called on China to stop promoting conflict in the Taiwan Strait. Health Minister Francisco Coma added that Taiwan helped Guatemala during the pandemic and he’s committed to supporting Taiwan’s bid for observer status at the World Health Assembly.