TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's premier medical institution, National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH, 台大醀院), celebrated a significant milestone Monday (June 16) as it commemorated 130 years of service amid accolades from the island's highest office. President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) attended the anniversary ceremony where he lauded the hospital's enduring legacy as both a steadfast guardian of public health and a catalyst for Taiwan's medical advancement. The president specifically acknowledged NTUH's crucial contributions during the recent global pandemic and its continued excellence in medical education and groundbreaking research that has helped elevate healthcare standards across Taiwan.
In his address, President Lai acknowledged Taiwan's significant gains in longevity while expressing growing concern over what health officials term "unhealthy years" — the period of life spent managing chronic illness or disability. The president outlined ambitious healthcare targets for his administration, pledging to increase the average Taiwanese life expectancy from 79 to 82 years while simultaneously reducing the proportion of unhealthy years from 10% to 8% within the next eight years. Cancer prevention emerged as a central focus of his health policy, with Lai noting that malignancies remain Taiwan's leading cause of death. The government will commit NT$4 billion (approximately US$135 million) toward expanded national screening programs targeting six major cancers: oral, colorectal, breast, cervical, lung, and stomach cancers.
The president further unveiled plans for a cutting-edge smart medical center to be established at NTUH, describing a facility that will harness advanced cloud computing technology to seamlessly integrate home healthcare services with telemedicine capabilities — a move designed to significantly enhance the efficiency of Taiwan's healthcare delivery system. During the ceremony, Lai congratulated Dr. Wu Ming-hsien (吳明賢) on his forthcoming appointment as dean of the prestigious medical school affiliated with the hospital. Taiwan's Minister of Health and Welfare, Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源), also addressed attendees, emphasizing NTUH's unwavering commitment to person-centered care and its broader social responsibilities. In his remarks, incoming Dean Wu characterized the institution as a fertile ground where medical technology and humanistic values converge, expressing his vision for advancing smart medicine while promoting sustainable health practices. ◼