International Exchange in Post-Epidemic Recovery Taipei Medical University Hospital and Ho Chi Minh City Medicine and Pharmacy University Medical Center Sign Medical Cooperation Initiative

Taiwan ranks first in the 2022 Mid-Year Health Care Index published by Numbeo, a global database. With its advanced equipment, world-class medical technology, world-renowned national healthcare system, and high-quality medical talent and skills, Taiwan is a global leader in healthcare quality, and the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 has brought Taiwan's healthcare soft power to the world stage.

As the COVID-19 outbreak is now receding, we are entering a recovery phase and global exchanges are increasing. Since 2016, Taiwan has been promoting the New Southbound Policy, which focuses on four main areas: "economic and trade cooperation," "talent exchange," "resource sharing," and "regional connectivity." Among these, medical services, intelligent medical care, and medical and healthcare talent training are one of the main axes of the policy. Taipei Medical University and its affiliated hospitals have been actively involved in developing new southbound medical services in line with national policies. In addition to providing clinical medical services, we have further deepened southbound medical cooperation through student exchanges, signing alliance schools, and international master's degree programs.

Taipei Medical University has been deeply rooted in Vietnam for nearly 10 years, and now has 88 Vietnamese alumni and 100 Vietnamese students. Following the signing of the cooperation agreement between the hospital and Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2017, from April 3 to 5, 2023, Dean Jiunn-Horng Kang of the School of Medical Engineering, Director Wei-Wen Su of the Office of Public Affairs, Deputy Superintendent Sung-Hui Tseng of Medical Education at TMUH, Deputy Superintendent Yung-Hsiao Chiang, Director Hsin-Lun Lee of the Department of Radiation Oncology, and Assistant Supervisor Yu Ying-Ju of Dream Way International Healthcare Center visited Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam. During the visit, they signed memorandums of cooperation with two of Vietnam's largest hospitals, Cho Ray Hospital and University Medical Center of HCMC, covering physician exchanges, master's and doctoral programs, annual bilateral seminars, clinical trials, patient referrals, telemedicine, and other comprehensive collaborations.

On this occasion, the Taipei Medical College Alumni were invited to get together and enjoy Vietnamese food and reminisce about their time in Taiwan. There was great interaction during the meeting. Everyone enjoyed the meal and looked forward to seeing each other next time in Taipei.