TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said the government is committed to raising the average life expectancy in Taiwan from 79 to 82 in eight years.
He made his remarks in an opening address at the Healthy Aging Forum on Tuesday. Organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan and the American Institute in Taiwan, the event was billed as a public-private partnership.
It saw government officials liaise with medical experts, health providers, and pharmaceutical companies. Chuo said promoting better end of life health can reduce the burden on families, caregivers, and the government, per CNA.
Cho said his Cabinet had supported many similar programs such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "8-Year 888 Program" for chronic disease prevention. Also the "Triple Arrows for Cancer Treatment" has the goal of cutting cancer mortality by one-third by 2030.
Cho called on lawmakers to preserve funding for national health insurance, cancer prevention and treatment, and funds for new cancer drug research. He hoped that legislators could view the government's budget rationally and achieve longer-term healthcare goals.
Cho also thanked President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) for inviting the five branches of government to hold a national affairs consultation meeting. He said the meeting would ideally result in better budgeting and government coordination.
Cho concluded by saying AmCham Taiwan has often provided the government with valuable opinions on Taiwan's economic development. He added the health forum has deepened ties between the government, AmCham Taiwan, and AIT.
