Taiwan's largest hospitals team up to target SE Asian markets

The union will focus on six countries.

The Taiwanese healthcare sector is looking to Southeast Asia for growth. On June 26, seventeen large hospitals have launched an association seeking to tap into the medical and health market in Southeast Asia.

Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported that the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has selected six countries – Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand -- to be included in its “One Nation One Platform” program, under which Taiwan will provide assistance to partner nations under the New Southbound Policy in developing medical techniques.

MOHW is also eyeing less stringent regulations regarding remote medical services, cell therapy, and study programs in Taiwan for foreign medical workers, the report noted.

Statistics from the Taiwan External Trade Development Council showed that more than 305,000 patients from other countries visited Taiwan in 2017 for medical treatment, with 33.17% coming from Southeast Asia.

The union hopes to benefit from increased medical equipment exports, personnel training opportunities, and patient referrals, CNA noted.

A total of 17 medical institutions signed up as members of the union, including Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (Linkou), Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, National Taiwan University Hospital, Mackay Memorial Hospital, China Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, E-Da Hospital, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Changhua Christian Hospital, Tung’s Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Chi Mei Medical Center, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, and Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital.