The Canadian federal senate's "Health Care Group" held a video conference on the evening of June 11th with officials from Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare for the first time, receiving a briefing on Taiwan's health insurance and public health systems. The Canadian side hopes to learn from Taiwan's experience to strengthen Canada's healthcare system and promote institutionalized cooperation between Taiwan and Canada in the field of public health.
The meeting was convened by federal senators Rebecca Patterson and Stan Kutcher, with four senators including Flordeliz Osler and Sharon Burey, all with backgrounds in healthcare, attending. Representing Taiwan, Mr. Shih Chin-shui, Director-General of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, led the discussions. Representatives from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Administration, Centers for Disease Control, and others were also present, providing explanations on Taiwan's health insurance system, electronic medical records, database establishment, promotion of mental health, and prevention, monitoring, and management of major public health events.
Ambassador Hseng-Hung Cheng of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada was invited to deliver remarks, noting that following the signing of the "Memorandum of Understanding on Health Cooperation" in May 2023, today's meeting marks the first video conference between Canadian parliamentarians and officials from Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare to exchange views on Taiwan's healthcare system, pandemic response measures, and other issues. These developments indicate promising prospects for future cooperation between the two sides. Taiwan's achievements in pursuing universal health coverage, health governance, and successful management of large-scale pandemics are well-regarded internationally. The ambassador expressed gratitude for Canada's public support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in the World Health Assembly for four consecutive years and for prioritizing public health issues as an area for bilateral cooperation. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada will continue to serve as a bridge for health cooperation between Taiwan and Canada.
During the meeting, Canadian senators thanked Taiwanese officials for providing a comprehensive overview of Taiwan's healthcare system, highly praising the Taiwanese government's policies in achieving universal health coverage, enhancing healthcare professionalism, strengthening primary healthcare, and preventing and controlling infectious diseases. They expressed hope to organize a delegation to visit Taiwan for on-site inspections in the future, continuing discussions and dialogues, and applying Taiwan's experiences to Canada's healthcare system. The senators also expressed gratitude to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada for facilitating this meeting.
