TAIWAN will launch its New Southbound policy 2.0, a program to promote its healthcare industry to regional neighbors in the wake of the pandemic.
The policy was launched in 2016 targeting stronger economic ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), South Asia, New Zealand, and Australia. The Philippines, signed a partnership with Taiwan in 2017 and is among its seven main countries collaborators.
Health and Welfare Vice Minister Chung-Liang Shih said during the Yushan forum in Taiwan, which began Friday, that the focus next year will be greater coordination of health efforts with partner countries.
Taipei is planning a presence in each partner country, with the goal of “provid(ing) international patients better access to Taiwan’s healthcare services,” he said
The program will also seek to harmonize health care policy and smooth out the supply chain for healthcare products. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan
