At the invitation of the International Hospital Federation (IHF), Taiwan will play host to the 2006 International Hospital Federation Asian Pacific Regional Conference next week.
The IHF conference is said to be the biggest non-governmental global conference on medical and health-related affairs, next to that of the WHO. The conference will be held at the Taipei International Convention Center from Sunday to Wednesday.
So far 747 representatives from hospitals in 20 different countries have confirmed their attendance at the biennial event the Taiwan Hospital Association announced yesterday.
More than 1,000 local doctors or related medical personnel will also attend.
"It will be the second time we have organized this kind of international conference. The first time was 20 years ago," said Taiwan Hospital Association Chairman Wu Der-lang (
Wu said the association applied to host the conference four years ago but lost out to Hong Kong.
"This year, we did not file an application but the federation invited us to do so. It is truly an honor," Wu said.
Top-ranking hospital officials will attend next week's event to discuss problems faced by health systems in different countries. In addition, the contribution that Taiwan can make internationally to health issues will be discussed.
Forty-three domestic medical papers prepared by 23 local doctors and 53 medical papers from 30 foreign doctors will also be presented at the conference.
Wu said that Taiwan's cardiology development and research are internationally renowned and that young doctors from Canada, the US, the UK and Russia visited Taiwan every year to engage in research and study in this field.
"We shall take advantage of the conference to let more foreign friends know how well we can do and what we can contribute to internationally," Wu said.
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
A fourth public debate was held today about restarting the recently decommissioned Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant, ahead of a referendum on the controversial issue to be held in less than two weeks. A referendum on Aug. 23 is to ask voters if they agree that “the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operations upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns.” Anyone over 18 years of age can vote in the referendum. The vote comes just three months after its final reactor shut down, officially making Taiwan nuclear-free. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) represented