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Paraguayan Vice Minister Thanks Taiwan for Medical Assistance at WHA Side Event
The International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) hosted a World Health Assembly (WHA) side event on the evening of May 20 (Geneva time) in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum, titled “Empowering through Inclusive Healthcare：Leveraging Smart Technologies for Accessibility” attracted more than 90 participants, including government representatives from allied countries such as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Paraguay. Also in attendance were experts and representatives of NGOs from several countries, including India, Indonesia, Germany, Switzerland, Madagascar, Senegal, the United Kingdom, and Ethiopia. Distinguished guests included Saint Vincent’s Minister of Health St. Clair Prince, Belize’s Minister of Health Kevin Bernard, and Saint Kitts and Nevis Vice Minister of Health Curtis Martin. The forum focused on exploring applications and cooperation models for smart healthcare in the field of public health.
The event was chaired by Dr. Simone Keizer Beache, Chief Medical Officer of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. She emphasized that building a sustainable digital health ecosystem requires a top-down approach starting from national policy and extending to the community level, integrating technology, human resources, and grassroots acceptance. Taiwan’s Minister of Health and Welfare, Dr. Tai-yuan Chiu, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting Taiwan’s proactive investment in smart healthcare development. He noted that this marks the eighth consecutive year the TaiwanICDF has hosted a WHA side event in Geneva, and that through these events it aims to share experiences and help bridge global health disparities.
In a keynote address, José Ortellado, Vice Minister of Health of Paraguay, shared how Paraguay, with assistance from the TaiwanICDF, has been implementing a national strategy for a health information system. By simultaneously introducing smart equipment and strengthening human resource training, Paraguay has significantly improved its local healthcare capacity and accessibility, laying a strong data foundation for future AI applications.
Mirana Michelle Randriambelonoro, Chief Technology Officer at the Geneva Digital Health Hub, presented the outcomes of telemedicine projects in Nepal and Mali, showcasing how technology can overcome barriers to rural healthcare. The TaiwanICDF Deputy Secretary General Stephen J.H. Lee outlined how the organization has implemented medical information systems and AI-assisted tools in Paraguay, Fiji, Somaliland, and Belize—starting with infrastructure and expanding to personnel training and regional cooperation to build localized digital health frameworks.
Kallol Mukherji, Digital Health Manager at Terre des Hommes (TdH), demonstrated practical applications of the Integrated e-Diagnostic Approach (IeDA) in maternal and child healthcare. Pape Amadou Gaye, founder of the Baobab Institute, shared experiences on overcoming infrastructure limitations to introduce digital health solutions in remote areas, thus enhancing community-level health services. He extended special thanks to the TaiwanICDF for its contributions to these efforts.
At the forum’s conclusion, TaiwanICDF Deputy Secretary General Peifen Hsieh emphasized that smart healthcare is a key component of Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs' “Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project,” which is led by foreign minister Lin Chia-long. Drawing from experiences in various partner countries, she stressed that promoting smart health is not merely about technology transfer, but also about building a comprehensive ecosystem involving policy, systems, and public engagement. Only with the participation of all stakeholders can the transformation toward smart healthcare be successfully achieved.
The forum was co-hosted by the TaiwanICDF, Terre des Hommes (TdH), the National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), and the Taiwan Medical Alliance, and was held at the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva. A recording of the event will also be available on the TaiwanICDF official website and social media platforms.
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- Update: 2025/05/22
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