TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) addressed the Taiwan Global Health Forum Series on Monday via video during an event held alongside the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, per a press release.
As Taiwan remains excluded from the annual World Health Organization assembly, it has continued to host its own health forums on the sidelines of the international gathering.
Lai said that as Taiwan’s first president with a medical background, he hoped to promote dialogue on issues ranging from digital health and AI governance, cancer policy and innovation, and the global effort to eliminate hepatitis C. He said Taiwan has participated in many international health initiatives over the years and remains committed to sharing its experiences as a responsible and reliable partner.
He said Taiwan could contribute even more to global public health efforts if it were allowed to join the WHO. “Rapidly aging populations and new infectious diseases mean greater responsibilities than ever before,” Lai said.
“Digital health and AI are reshaping the future of healthcare. Taiwan is building a solid framework to promote responsible AI governance. This will help ensure that medical AI is safe, effective, and trustworthy,” he said.
Lai said Taiwan’s growing digital health industry will continue to drive innovation through technologies such as medical AI, robotics, and the medical metaverse to improve the precision and overall quality of care.
Addressing cancer treatment, Lai described cancer as one of the most serious health challenges facing modern society. He said Taiwan is promoting early screening, precision medicine, and broader access to innovative treatments. “We also launched a fund for new cancer drugs and are updating our National Health Insurance. Our goal is to make sure that every patient receives timely, affordable, high-quality care.”
Lai also said Taiwan aims to become a leader in the global effort to eliminate hepatitis C. While the WHO set a target of eliminating the disease by 2030, Taiwan achieved the goal five years ahead of schedule, he said. “This success was no accident. It was built on sound governance and our National Health Insurance. Because of this, we were able to combine screening, treatment, and prevention into one plan,” per the press release.
He emphasized that international cooperation is essential to addressing modern health challenges.
“With the health challenges we face today, no country can act alone. We need to build stronger ties among government, academia, industry, and the public. Only then can we boost innovation, promote equity, and build more resilient health systems,” Lai said.
Lai concluded by thanking organizers, speakers, and participants for their contributions and called for continued cooperation to build “a healthier, more sustainable, and more resilient world together.”
