3
Operations
Public Health and Medicine
The primary principle underpinning public health and
medicine and associated projects from the TaiwanICDF
is ownership. To achieve the MDGs associated with
public health and medicine, we consider our partner
countries’ needs, the globalization of health care-related
humanitarian assistance and environment-oriented
improvements to international health care.
Pursuing One of the MDGs
We are currently implementing programs in The
Gambia and Burkina Faso designed to address the fifth
MDG, “Improve maternal health.”
In The Gambia, we are working with the Ministry
of Health and Social Welfare on a Maternal Health
Improvement Program, which is being implemented in
the country’s Upper River Region. The project is designed
to enable better care throughout the various stages of a
term of pregnancy, increase the coverage and number
of visits made by midwives throughout the project’s
area of operation and upgrade the quality of facilities at
basic clinics in the region. Overall, the project aims to
reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by improving the
quality of maternity services on offer. In November 2012,
we held the first of a series of Community Nurses and
Midwives Training Courses, during which 20 local nursing
and midwifery personnel received on-the-job training.
In addition to providing actual medical services, our
Taiwan Medical Mission in Burkina Faso has also assisted
in establishing health care management systems and
training courses. As of 2011, the mission has also been
working with the Ministry of Health on a six-year plan
to provide assistance to midwives and senior nurses
at primary health clinics to better meet Burkina Faso’s
real medical needs and to build associated capacity.
In addition to providing professional training courses in
Burkina Faso, we have also drawn on the resources and
experience available in Taiwan’s health care systems
by bringing certain personnel to Taiwan to take part
in teacher training. After returning to Burkina Faso as
lecturers, these personnel are able to disseminate and
promote medical concepts and professional nursing skills,
enhancing the overall quality of medical services available
in the country. During 2012, four midwives and senior
nurses came to Taiwan to participate in refresher courses
on teaching and lecturing skills before going on to train
150 midwives and 200 senior nurses. Elsewhere, as
part of its continuing efforts, the mission itself provided
approximately 20,000 consultations or instances of
medical care.
Public Health and Medical Assistance
The TaiwanICDF has many years of experience in
providing assistance in public health and medicine. We
implement such assistance in cooperation with Taiwanese
hospitals and medical institutions, integrating Taiwan’s
50-plus years of experience in public health and medicine
and epidemic prevention. We assist partner countries
by implementing various medical cooperation projects,
such as Taiwan Medical Missions, our Medical Project in
Pacific Island Countries, and our Used Medical Equipment
Donation and Training Project.
Among these operations, personnel at Taiwan
Medical Missions offer long-term assistance to hospitals
in our partner countries. They provide medical services in
resource-poor regions and make regular visits to remote
areas. By transferring appropriate medical concepts
and technologies, and helping to improve the efficiency
of hospital management, Taiwan Medical Missions help
partners achieve their objective of raising medical
standards and the quality of associated services.
At present, MOFA commissions the TaiwanICDF to
operate Taiwan Medical Missions in Burkina Faso and
Swaziland. As part of the associated ROC-Kingdom of
Swaziland Medical Project implemented by the mission in
Swaziland, the mission works with Mbabane Government
Hospital to improve the quality of medical care and
nurture health care-related teaching staff. In 2012, the
mission provided around 8,000 consultations or instances
of medical care. The mission also enhanced the quality
of local medical human resources by organizing three
specialist medical workshops and 30 training events at
the hospital.
Establishing a Medical Platform, Integrating Taiwan’s
Medical Resources
The TaiwanICDF works to strengthen cooperation
in public health and medicine between Taiwan and its
allies. Since 2006, the TaiwanICDF has joined forces
with 37 Taiwanese hospitals and medical institutions to
form the International Healthcare Cooperation Strategic
Alliance (IHCSA), together operating permanent Taiwan
Technical Missions in a number of partner countries, as
well as providing mobile services through Mobile Medical
Missions.
Humanitarian Assistance
28
