It is my great honor to have been invited to attend the opening ceremony of the 28th World Congress of Internal Medicine. First of all, on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, I would like to express my great respect for and welcome to all our distinguished guests, many of whom have traveled here from afar to participate in this important medical event.
Since its establishment in Switzerland in 1948, the International Society of Internal Medicine has held the World Congress of Internal Medicine every two years. In 1996, when the 23rd Congress was held in Manila, the Philippines, Professors Li Yuan-te and Wang Te-hung, both former chairmen of Taiwan's Society of Internal Medicine, Professor Chen Ming-feng, then-secretary of the Society, and many individuals from abroad launched a successful bid to bring Taiwan into the International Society of Internal Medicine as its 46th member state, using the name "Society of Internal Medicine of Taiwan."
When the 24th Congress was held in Lima, Peru, in 1998, the Society of Internal Medicine of Taiwan for the first time expressed its desire to host the World Congress of Internal Medicine. During the Congress' board meeting in Cancun, Mexico, in 2000, Taiwan was subsequently included on the official list of nations applying to host the 2006 meeting. The solid accomplishments, sufficient preparation, and ready ambition of Taiwan's Society of Internal Medicine were recognized by the International Society of Internal Medicine and earned for Taiwan the right to host the 28th World Congress of Internal Medicine. I would like to congratulate the Society of Internal Medicine of Taiwan for this achievement.
Boasting a history of longer than a century, internal medicine was first practiced in Taiwan in the 1890s. It has been, and continues to be, the engine driving medical advances in Taiwan. The Society of Internal Medicine of Taiwan has made remarkable contributions to the education and training of doctors, to medical research, and to the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. Beginning in the 1950s, the training of sub-specialists in internal medicine was started. Since then, the later-formed Society of Sub-specialists has flourished and done many good works.
In the 1980s, in order to enhance the quality of specialists in all disciplines and improve the people's health, the government established the Accreditation System for Specialists under the Executive Yuan's Department of Health. Through combining this system with educational training in internal medicine, a foundation was laid upon which sub-specialists in all disciplines could be trained. Meanwhile, the Society of Internal Medicine of Taiwan was established to provide a sound system of educational training and accreditation.
Over the past 19 years, the Society, due to the implementation of a digitalization of the workplace and the efficient integration of its personnel and operations, has prospered and become one of the most productive and accomplished academic societies in Taiwan. I would like to encourage all members of the Society to seek always to increase your professional knowledge and build upon your skills, for by doing so you can continue to contribute to the better health of all people.
The development of information technology has allowed for progress in all aspects to take place globally. Similarly, research and development in medical information technology have also contributed greatly to health policies, healthcare, disease diagnosis, medical education, and clinical services. These developments have inspired the Society of Internal Medicine of Taiwan to set "Internal Medicine in the Information Technology Era," as the theme of this year's Congress, as it hopes that this conference will demonstrate to all its participants the innovativeness and competitiveness of Taiwan, a country that leads in information technology where healthcare services have also achieved a high standard internationally.
The programs of this conference serve both educational and practical purposes, as the topics include the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tumors, cardiovascular diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlididemia, and stroke, as well as other illnesses. There are also programs providing a great deal of advanced information on preventative care and new medical technology. Topics like evidence-based medicine (EBM) and objective structured clinical evaluation (OSCE) will also be touched upon, making the conference both inspiring and informative.
Many world-class medical experts from Asia, Europe, and the Americas have been invited to share their experiences and the fruits of their research alongside many of Taiwan's leading medical professionals participating in this conference, thus making this event a wonderful opportunity for academic exchange. From the programs and activities, we can see how committed the Society of Internal Medicine of Taiwan has been to organizing this conference. Although the conference lasts only four days, the preparatory process began four years ago, when the Society began the intensive work of planning the programs, deciding what topics would be discussed, reviewing medical developments around the world, assessing Taiwan's medical research, and raising funds for the conference.
I anticipate that all our distinguished guests will take this opportunity to learn more about new developments in medicine, exchange views with medical experts, and observe for yourselves advances in Taiwan's healthcare system and what our people's hard work has accomplished. I also hope that, over the next few days, you may come to know the friendliness and hospitality of Taiwan's people, experience our scenic spots, and savor our food. And I trust that, after you return home, you will share with your friends all that you have seen and heard during your trip to Taiwan.
In closing, I would like to wish the Congress great success and all our distinguished guests health and happiness. Thank you!