From ancient herbal remedies and pulse diagnosis to the modern widespread use of antibiotics and vaccines, humanity’s pursuit of health has continuously propelled medical progress. In the 21st century, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud databases, and telemedicine are no longer confined to laboratories—they are entering everyday life through clinics, reaching remote communities, and even crossing national borders. These innovations are redefining how we practice and experience medicine. Driven by advances in technology, smart healthcare is opening new frontiers in global health governance.

Today, smart healthcare shows groundbreaking potential in areas such as diagnostic efficiency, disease prediction, and personal care models. It is increasingly regarded as a crucial tool for helping developing countries strengthen public health systems and improve access to medical services. AI-assisted screening, automatic generation of electronic medical records, and mobile health systems are rapidly spreading worldwide. However, as AI “enters the clinic,” a range of challenges has surfaced, including technological disparities, inadequate data governance, digital skill gaps among local healthcare workers, and the lack of established ethical standards—all of which present structural barriers to the global diffusion of smart healthcare.

Taiwan is playing an increasingly vital role in this wave of innovation. Leveraging its robust ICT sector, comprehensive National Health Insurance database, high-quality healthcare system, and long-standing experience in international cooperation, Taiwan has actively promoted smart healthcare initiatives abroad. These efforts have helped numerous countries adopt AI technologies and health information systems to build sustainable, community-based care models. From implementing AI-powered retinal screening in Belize and Eswatini to advancing electronic medical records and integrated health information systems in Paraguay and Somaliland, Taiwan has showcased its strengths in both software and hardware. These efforts also embody Taiwan’s global health commitment and the spirit behind the slogan “Taiwan Can Help”.

In the post-pandemic era, global health governance is shifting toward digitalization and collective action. The World Health Organization (WHO) has extended its Global Strategy on Digital Health through 2027 and is actively promoting ethical guidelines for AI and cross-border data governance frameworks. As WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted, “When digital technologies are used equitably, they become the most powerful tools to achieve universal health coverage.” Taiwan’s experiences in exporting smart healthcare are not limited     to technology—they also encompass system co-creation, local talent cultivation, and long-term capacity building, offering unique value on the global stage.

In this issue, we explore the topic of global smart healthcare development. Experts and scholars engaged in smart healthcare work have contributed insights from both theoretical and practical perspectives, examining global trends, the transformative potential of these technologies, and Taiwan’s field experiences in implementing smart healthcare projects in developing countries.

This issue’s special report, titled From the WHA to Global Smart Healthcare Strategies: Taiwan’s Emerging Role in International Collaboration, features an in-depth interview with TaiwanICDF Deputy Secretary-General Stephen J. H. Lee. In the report, Director Hung-Yi Chiu  of the National Health Research Institutes’ Institute of Population Health Sciences also highlights Taiwan’s participation in the 2025 World Health Assembly (WHA), and its growing influence in shaping global digital health policy through smart healthcare initiatives.

Yet, we must also acknowledge that technology is not a  cure-all. The  application of AI  in healthcare carries both potential and risk—particularly in developing countries where data infrastructure is weak and regulatory frameworks are incomplete. The sustainability of smart healthcare depends on our ability to strike a balance between innovation and ethics, and between efficiency and equity.

As Bill Gates once said, “The ultimate goal of technology is to improve people’s lives.” Only by starting from human needs and building localized, inclusive smart health systems can we ensure that technological innovation becomes a force for health equity. We hope this issue sparks imaginative and thoughtful discussion about the future of global healthcare transformation.

Summaries

Global Smart-Healthcare Development Trends, Key Issues, and Strategies

(Dr. Raymond N. Kuo , Associate Professor, Executive MBA Program in Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University)

Smart healthcare is redefining the global landscape of medical services. Technologies such   as telemedicine, artificial intelligence (AI), wearable devices, and blockchain are advancing rapidly—not only improving treatment outcomes, but also enhancing accessibility. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, while AI has boosted diagnostic accuracy, personalized treatments, and administrative efficiency. Wearable devices have promoted preventive care and real-time health monitoring. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) urges countries to develop smart healthcare strategies that prioritize governance, investment, and infrastructure. However, five major challenges remain: 1) the lack of financial incentives in health insurance systems, prompting calls for a shift to value-based care; 2) privacy and regulatory concerns related to data-sharing across institutions; 3) limited evidence on cost-effectiveness; 4) absence of safety and regulatory standards; and 5) low trust and acceptance of new technologies among healthcare workers and the public. In the context of Taiwan’s aging population and uneven resource distribution, smart healthcare offers a vital opportunity to strengthen health equity and sustainability. Policymakers should encourage innovation and cross-sector collaboration to build a high-performing, competitive, and rights-based healthcare system.

Challenges and Prospects for Smart-Healthcare Applications in Developing Countries

(Dr. Tzu-Jen Hung, Deputy Superintendent, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital)

As information and medical technologies merge, smart healthcare is flourishing globally, encompassing telemedicine, mobile health, digital pathology, and AI-assisted diagnostics. While telemedicine has matured in developed countries, investment in developing countries remains limited due to low returns, budget constraints, and poor infrastructure. However, for remote and island regions, telemedicine plays a crucial role in delivering basic healthcare and reducing urban- rural disparities—especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The widespread use of mobile phones in these regions makes them a vital tool for delivering preventive care through apps and SMS. AI-assisted diagnostics are viewed as a game changer for healthcare systems in low- resource settings, addressing workforce shortages and improving diagnostic accuracy. Nonetheless, high equipment costs, unstable internet access, and limited trust from local personnel hinder widespread adoption. To enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of smart healthcare aid, the author recommends: 1) establishing regional demonstration centers; 2) strengthening public-private partnerships; 3) ensuring long-term maintenance and capacity-building support; and 4) assisting in policy and standards development.

AI Application in Health Management in Developing Countries

(Tsai-Hsuan Chung, Ph.D. Candidate, Operations, Information and Decisions Department, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania)

AI is becoming a pivotal tool in advancing healthcare and public health services, particularly in resource-limited developing countries. Drawing from international research and personal field experience in Sierra Leone and Somaliland, the author outlines four key application areas: disease prevention, telemedicine, healthcare resource allocation, and health education. Specific AI technologies such as decision-aware learning, large language models (LLMs), and reinforcement learning (RL) have shown promise in improving service efficiency and equity. However, real- world implementation is constrained by data scarcity, fragile infrastructure, limited funding and talent, and insufficient regulatory and ethical frameworks. To unlock AI’s full potential while safeguarding against data privacy violations, algorithmic bias, and increased health inequality, future development must focus on strengthening infrastructure, cultivating local talent, and establishing ethical and inclusive regulatory systems that promote health equity and sustainability.

Global Health Transformation Under the Digital Wave of AI

(Dr. Johnson Huang, General CEO, AdvMeds)

Spurred by rapidly evolving technologies like AI, telemedicine, electronic medical records, and wearable devices, digital health is becoming a major driver of global health transformation.   In developing countries, however, the introduction of smart healthcare is not just a matter of technological transfer—it requires deep structural reform and workforce transformation, with nurses playing a particularly critical role. Drawing on the TaiwanICDF’s early smart healthcare collaborations in Malawi and South Africa, and subsequent expansions to the Marshall Islands   and Thailand, the article highlights practical examples of digital health implementation. It further explores how nurses, in resource-constrained environments, evolve from traditional caregivers to information collaborators and system interface co-designers—managing tasks from EMR setup and teleconsultations to AI-assisted screenings and data processing. The article also discusses challenges related to infrastructure, language and culture, training, and ethical stress, emphasizing the need for integrated strategies that link smart healthcare with nursing system strengthening. This people-centered approach is essential for sustainable digital transformation in international development aid.

• Update: 2025/07/01
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