President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) met with the winners of the 27th National Biotechnology and Medical Care Quality Award on Monday. In his speech, he said that one of the most important tasks of the government's Healthy Taiwan plan is to develop smart technology to provide the public with more accurate, convenient, and personalized health care services.
Lai affirmed the winners for using technology to improve medical services, specifically recognizing that the Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, which won the gold award, developed a smart app for diabetic patients, achieving a win-win situation of improving blood sugar control for patients and reducing the workload of medical staff. Tzu Chi Hospital also developed Indigenous language assistance to break down communication barriers.
Among other notable achievements is a new Zolgensma intravenous suspension injection developed by Novartis in Taiwan, which will significantly affect the treatment of severe spinal muscular atrophy. The President affirmed that the works developed by all the winning teams will be of great help to the people, society, and country.
Lai spoke on his administration’s recently launched five-year, NT$48.9 billion (US$1.6 billion) plan to deepen the Healthy Taiwan initiative, pointing out that the government has continued to seek smart solutions, simplify the review process, and establish a management system and clinical trial environment that is in line with international standards. He said that the government’s communication and collaboration with the private sector will improve people’s health and allow Taiwan’s biotechnology and medical care to shine on the international stage.