As the government continues to advance cancer prevention and treatment policies, President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday expressed hope that National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) would continue to be a key partner in achieving the goal of a “healthy Taiwan,” while attending NTUH’s 130th anniversary celebration.
Lai thanked the hospital for its longstanding contributions to the nation.
He praised NTUH as a guardian of public health — both in ordinary times and during the COVID-19 pandemic — and commended its leadership in medical education and research, which has propelled the advancement of Taiwan’s healthcare system.
Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times
As a medically trained professional, Lai said he hopes to strengthen collaboration between the healthcare sector and other fields to build a “healthy Taiwan.”
While average life expectancy in Taiwan has risen, there is concern that the number of years lived with disability or illness has also increased, he said.
The government aims to raise the average life expectancy from 79 to 82 years and reduce the proportion of life lived with disability or disease from 10 percent to 8 percent, he added.
To meet this goal, the government has launched a range of initiatives, with cancer prevention and treatment identified as the top priority, he said.
Cancer has remained the leading cause of death in Taiwan since 1982, he said, adding that eligibility for government-funded cancer screening has been expanded, the number of screening tests has increased, and the budget has been significantly increased from NT$2.8 billion to NT$6.8 billion (US$95 million to US$230.4 million).
Lai said that he has visited NTUH’s Cancer Center and is grateful for the hospital’s contributions to cancer treatment, research and education.
He also said the public has high hopes for NTUH to continue playing a vital role in improving cancer outcomes in Taiwan.
NTUH superintendent Wu Ming-shiang (吳明賢) said the hospital and other healthcare facilities have been playing the role of the “hidden sacred mountain protecting the nation,” taking care of the public’s health.
The NTUH and NTU College of Medicine have together educated and trained many outstanding talents in the field, whose contributions have brought remarkable achievements in Taiwan’s knowledge creation and healthcare services, he said.
Medicine is a science of uncertainty,” Wu said, adding that while there is still significant room for improvement in treating many illnesses, new methods would continue to emerge as technology advances.
NTUH cannot rest on its current achievements and must continue to train excellent talent to support the healthcare system, which is the hospital’s core value.
Regarding artificial intelligence, Lai said that it might serve as a valuable tool for medical professionals, but can never replace human beings, as medical ethics require doctors to make critical decisions, and machines cannot provide the warmth and support for people when they need it the most.
Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源), NTU vice president Chang Shan-chwen (張上淳) and NTUH deputy superintendent Ni Yen-hsuan (倪衍玄) also attended the event.
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
STAY COOL: The HPA recommended that people stay hydrated, use air-conditioning or fans while indoors, wear loose-fitting clothes and walk in the shade while outdoors Employers must implement measures such as installing cooling equipment, and providing drinking water and rest breaks for outdoor workers starting from Monday next week, the Taipei Department of Labor said on Sunday. Employers who fail to comply could face fines of NT$30,000 to NT$300,000 under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (職業安全衛生法), the department said. Businesses in Taipei employing fewer than 100 workers, as well as registered self-employed workers with labor insurance coverage, could receive on-site assessments and guidance from occupational safety consultants to help them apply for central government subsidies to implement or improve heat-protection measures, it said. Under the Ministry of
ISOLATION: The outposts would serve as support and backup bases, forcing US forces to either face China head-on or reroute, increasing travel time and operational costs China’s outposts in the South China Sea could be used to delay and constrain foreign forces during a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, giving Beijing a critical window to carry out amphibious landing and blockade operations, a report said. The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) forward operating bases on islands and reclaimed features in the South China Sea could delay foreign forces long enough for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to secure a key 48-to-72-hour window in the Taiwan Strait, a report commissioned by the Mainland Affairs Council found. The report, conducted by the Institute for National Defense and Security Research, examined
RSS