VP Lai encourages initiatives of developing smart healthcare and precision medicine

Vice President Lai Ching-te visited the Healthcare Expo on 4 December, exposing himself to exhibits including proton therapy, 3D printing, virtual anatomy, telesurgery, telemedicine, international cooperation in Covid-19 containment and a startup accelerator supporting medical devices used in non- and minimally-invasive procedures.

Lai appreciated that the Expo can be held as scheduled despite of Covid-19. He was also impressed when seeing 550 exhibitors, 150 startup companies, 1,580 booths on site and 30 industry associations from abroad online.

As a physician, Lai noticed that medical technology changes very fast and population ageing is particularly concerning. He was positive that medical technology will play its part well in elderly care if it becomes a full-fledged sector.

He also mentioned in his speech, that industry 4.0, plus with AI, IoT, cloud computing, blockchain, VR/AR, pave the way to smart healthcare. Doctors nowadays do not necessarily rely on CT/MRT but genes or other biosignals. Emerging technologies show the right direction for Taiwan-based industries to follow, according to Lai.

Apart from medical training and education, medical technology shall be part of undergraduate curriculum to bridge the learning and doing. Young generations interested in ICT and biotechnology could be meaningful, they can have their dreams fulfilled whilst benefiting the economy and industry development of Taiwan, Lai concluded.

Source of press release (in Chinese)