TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te laid out his vision for national development, the 'National Project of Hope,' during the third presentation. He said he hopes to make Taiwan healthier and boost the healthcare industry into the country's second 'sacred mountain.'
Lai mused about his uniqueness compared to other presidents and what he could provide for the Taiwanese people. As Taiwan's population is expected to age drastically by 2025, he wishes to advance his medical expertise to create a healthier Taiwan.
He firmly believes in the strength to bolster the healthcare industry as the "second 'sacred mountain' that safeguards the nation," as Taiwanese nicknamed TSMC the 'Sacred Mountain' for its vital position in the semiconductor industry.
His top priority is passing a principle-based 'Health Charter' and fostering a supportive environment, including nutrition, mental health, and physical education, through a cross-disciplinary approach encompassing 'medical' and 'non-medical' fields.
To ensure the continuity of universal health coverage, he proposed plans to enhance finances, protect citizens' medical rights, promote innovative medicine, improve quality and efficiency, and implement home-based health care services.
Cancer has held the top spot in Taiwan's leading causes of death for 41 years. Therefore, Lai aims to expand services like cancer screening and genetic testing through the ''National Cancer Prevention and Control Programme' to reduce death rates.
He plans to set up a '10 Billion New Cancer Drug Fund' to ease patients' burden and to reduce national cancer deaths by a third by 2030. His plans involve integrating innovative medicine with healthcare, promoting the bio-industry, and using information and communication technology to advance efficiency and quality healthcare.
He also plans to create a big data database for gene and health insurance, using big data analysis and artificial intelligence to build a more efficient healthcare service system.
