From countries and backgrounds as diverse as their areas of expertise, a group of 20 healthcare professionals assembled for the opening ceremony of the International Healthcare Cooperation Strategic Alliance's (IHCSA) second Healthcare Personnel Training Program on September 11.

The program will run for three months and will see the trainees, who hail from 14 countries on four continents, scattered around the island at nine of Taiwan's most reputable hospitals based on their specialties. The trainees were recommended for the program by the Taiwan Embassies in their countries, in conjunction with the Christian relief and development organization World Vision and Chang Gung University's (CGU) College of Medicine in Taoyuan. The number of trainees this year marked a significant step up from the inaugural program, which saw only five trainees from Vietnam participate.

Daniel Hu, Deputy Secretary General of the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), which is a co-founder of the IHCSA, reflected on the unprecedented level of participation in this year's program, which he said demonstrated the world class standard of Taiwan's healthcare system. Hu said he hoped the trainees' time in Taiwan would prove invaluable and that they would be able to put the knowledge they acquired here to good use back in their own countries. The TaiwanICDF Deputy Secretary General then extended his warm greetings to this year's participants, saying:"I wish all trainees enjoy their stay in Taiwan... not only will they gain professional knowledge in healthcare but will learn Taiwanese culture and make Taiwanese friends."

Dr. Chiu Wen-da, Director-General of the Taiwan Nongovernmental Hospitals and Clinics Association (NHCA), wished all the participants a "happy and fruitful stay in Taiwan," while Dr. Wei Fu-chan, Dean of the College of Medicine at CGU recalled the incredible progress Taiwan had shown in its healthcare system over the last 30 years and told the trainees that the"purpose (of the program) is not to teach you, but share with you."

The trainees are an eclectic bunch with varied reasons for entering the program. Loreen Maekern, the Acting Director of Dentistry at the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in the Solomon Islands thanked the Taiwanese for making her feel welcome. Maekern, who will receive training in oral surgery said: "I know what I learn will be a benefit to my country."

The IHCSA was established in February 2006 by the TaiwanICDF, Taiwan Nongovernmental Hospitals and Clinics Association and CGU's College of Medicine, along with 27 other medical institutions in Taiwan. It currently has 31 members. In addition to the training programs, the alliance has two other main functions: Mobile Medical Missions (MMM) and reusable medical equipment donation. Since its inception, 10 missions have been sent to seven countries in Africa, Central America and islands in the South Pacific.

• Update: 2018/03/01
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