TAITRA organised event to protect health of overseas Chinese and Taiwanese businessmen

The Overseas Taiwanese Healthcare Webinar was jointly organized by TAITRA and the Overseas Community Affairs Council, under the guidance of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Photo: TAITRA

During the event, doctors introduced the Eucare App and New Southbound Health Center and shared the latest proton therapy technologies from Taiwan, as well as teaching how to read health check reports and air pollution issues. This event attracted 1,013 online visits to participate and interact.

Leonor F. M. Lin, president and CEO of TAITRA, stated in her opening speech that to share Taiwan’s epidemic prevention information with the world, TAITRA has incorporated resources such as the epidemic prevention supply chain and epidemic prevention expertise to establish the Taiwan Global Anti-COVID-19 Pavilion website.

She noted that Taiwan's best medical talents and technologies are expected to become the strongest backing for the health management of overseas Chinese and Taiwanese in the world. For example, the current cancer treatment in Taiwan has been developed quite well. For instance, autoimmune cell therapy has become a mainstream therapy, medical technology proton therapy is used to preserve vitality, cancer diagnosis, and treatment quality certification is promoted, and cancer treatment is reasonably priced.

Chia Ching Hsu, Deputy Minister of the Overseas Community Affairs Council, said that the Eucare App was launched in this September, providing overseas Chinese with face to face consultation with professional doctors through video chat 24/7. With an Overseas Compatriot Card, you not only receive free remote medical consultations but also get special discounts for some stores.

Meanwhile, Dr. Wei Kung Chen, chief of the Emergency Department of China Medical University Hospital, said that during the global pandemic, to help overseas Chinese avoid medical difficulties, medical agencies invited experts from the medical centre to a remote medical consultation platform provided by the Eucare App to create a 24/7 free telemedicine service. Once the epidemic is under control, Eucare App will open more multi-functional remote medical consulting services projects.

Leonor F. M. Lin, president and CEO of the TAITRA introduced the Taiwan Global Anti-COVID-19 Pavilion and shared Taiwan’s epidemic prevention information with the audience (Photo: TAITRA)

Dr. Hsiang Hao Hsu, attending physician nephrologist of the Department of Nephrology of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou, mentioned that with health check reports, it is recommended to start with the conclusion and figure out the precautions. In the conclusion of the health check, the items recommended for reassessment or follow-up diagnosis and treatment are a priority. It is necessary to understand the health check items and the reasons for reassessment.

Dr. Yu Ming Wang, chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology of the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Kaohsiung, said that compared with traditional photon therapy, proton therapy makes sure a low dose entering the body and releases a high dose when it reaches the tumour. However, the operation is complicated and requires a clinical experience. For instance, the dose of proton therapy for oesophagal cancer can be reduced by 80 per cent for the lung and 60 per cent for the heart. In the case of liver tumour treatment, the dose of proton therapy can be reduced by 50 per cent at the incident site and 100 per cent for the tumour’s rear site.

Regarding air pollution, Dr. Ooi Hean, director of the International Center of China Medical University Hospital, suggested several protective measures. For example, the elderly with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases should not be exposed to a high PM2.5 environment. It is recommended to reduce pollution sources indoors by growing plants and cleaning the floor, and wear professional dust masks when going out.

Dr. Jen Kuei Peng, CEO of the New Southbound Health Center, shared that the centre mainly provides medical consultation services for the people in Southeast Asian countries. These include epidemic prevention before and after going abroad, domestic and foreign medical information, and vaccination and other related issues.