TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) welcomed healthcare innovators to Taiwan's Presidential Office Monday (May 12), honoring recipients of the prestigious 27th National Biotechnology and Medicine Care Quality Award. During the ceremony, Lai unveiled the government's ambitious "Healthy Taiwan Cultivation Plan" (健康台灣深耕計畫), a five-year initiative backed by NT$48.9 billion (US$1.61 billion) aimed at transforming the island's medical landscape.
In his address, President Lai stressed that public-private partnerships remain crucial to cementing Taiwan's reputation as a medical innovation hub. He specifically acknowledged the contributions of Wang Jin-pyng (王金平), who serves as chairman of the Research Center for Biotechnology and Medicine Policy (RBMP), a leading Taiwanese healthcare think tank. Lai commended Wang's team for their vigilance in maintaining rigorous standards for medical services and products, while also recognizing the award recipients for their technological advancements in patient care.
During his remarks, President Lai highlighted Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital's award-winning innovation — a system that significantly enhances diabetic patients' blood sugar management while breaking down language barriers in health education. Lai outlined key regulatory reforms supporting such advancements, including the 2021 revision of the Act for the Development of Biotech and Pharmaceutical Industry (生技醫藥產業發展條例) and two groundbreaking laws passed just last month: the Regenerative Medicine Act (再生醫療法) and Regenerative Medicinal Products Act (再生醫療制劑條例).
Lai emphasized his administration's ongoing efforts to streamline regulatory review procedures for novel pharmaceuticals, medical technologies, and health products — reforms designed to accelerate innovation while prioritizing patient outcomes. Looking toward the future, the president expressed confidence that these combined initiatives would propel Taiwan's healthcare ecosystem to global prominence, ultimately fostering what he described as a healthier, more sustainable and resilient society across the island. ★
