LifeTaipei, Manila resume health cooperation ROC Health Minister Chiu Wen-ta (right) and his Philippine counterpart Enrique T. Ona (second right) discuss bilateral health care cooperation Aug. 7. (CNA)
Health care exchanges between Taiwan and the Philippines have resumed following a five-year hiatus with the signing of a cooperation agreement at the third ministerial-level meeting on health collaboration in Manila. “The two sides reached seven agreements on issues including noncommunicable diseases, women’s and children’s health, and dengue fever prevention,” ROC Health Minister Chiu Wen-ta said Aug. 8. “Taiwan also expressed its strong desire to actively participate in technical meetings of the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region headquartered in Manila, while the Philippines hopes to learn from Taiwan’s experience with national health insurance and public-private partnership in health care. “Taiwan’s national health insurance is quite successful, covering 99.6 percent of the nation with a satisfaction rate of 88.2 percent,” Chiu pointed out, adding that the insurance only accounts for 6.9 percent of the gross national product. Manila will also send personnel to Taipei to acquire techniques for stem cell treatment and bone marrow transplantation, as well as to participate in the upcoming Taiwan Health Forum Nov. 14 to 16 in Taipei, he said. As the Philippine capital has been flooded by recent torrential rains, on behalf of the ROC government Chiu donated medical equipment worth NT$5 million (US$167,000), including two ambulances, to the Filipino government for rescue work. Chiu said the pact with the Philippines is another example of health care diplomacy between Taiwan and nations with which it does not have diplomatic ties, similar to ties established with the European Union. “We hope this cooperation model can be extended to other countries. The DOH’s next target is Central and South America.” (THN) Write to Grace Kuo at mlkuo@mofa.gov.tw
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