President Tsai attends opening of 11th Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society Scientific Session
President Tsai Ing-wen attended the opening ceremony of the 11th Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS) Scientific Session on the evening of October 18. The president stated that the Taiwan government has been devoted to advancing our medical research and technology capabilities, aiming to make Taiwan an Asia Pacific hub for innovative R&D in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. She also expressed hope to collaborate with our international friends to build a healthier world
A transcript of the president's remarks follows:
After six years, we are pleased to welcome the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Annual Congress back to Taiwan. I am particularly delighted to see so many leading experts from various countries attending this special event.
I also want to acknowledge Congress President Dr. Chen Shih-Ann (陳適安, Vice Superintendent of Taiwan's Taipei Veterans General Hospital), and Taiwan Heart Rhythm Society President Dr. Chen Mien-Chen (陳勉成), for organizing this event in Taiwan. Thank you.
As one of the countries that funds the APHRS, Taiwan has closely collaborated with other countries around the world. Through the efforts of the funded scholars, including many of you here today, a lot of progress has been made in promoting multinational research, closing the gap in arrhythmia treatment, and creating opportunities for young researchers.
In particular, I want to acknowledge Dr. Chen Shih-Ann and his team. Their dedication and hard work have made the Taipei Veterans General Hospital Division of Cardiology a global leader in innovative cardioversion technology. So far, they have trained over 200 doctors and nurses, and helped over 20 countries to develop electrical cardioversion technologies.
Of course, we also have to thank many of you for building on the accomplishments of those who came before you. Today's medicine has progressed from just treating diseases to a unique, prevention-as-treatment approach for patients at risk to develop cardiac arrhythmia.
Meanwhile, advances in big data, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing are revolutionizing health care systems. Telemedicine, robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), wearable medical devices, and blockchain technology will all play leading roles in the healthcare industry of the future.
I am pleased to see that these topics will receive quite a lot of attention at this year's congress. In Taiwan, they are also important elements of my administration's "5+2 industrial innovation program."
Over the past two years, we have been devoted to advancing our medical research and technology capabilities. We aim to utilize our industrial advantages, and make Taiwan an Asia Pacific hub for innovative R&D in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. As technological advances change every aspect of the medical industry, Taiwan will be at the forefront of this revolution.
Taiwan is a responsible member of the international community. We are also committed to using our experience and technologies to help build a seamless and fair global medical community.
For decades, we have been working with our friends and allies to build a healthier world. Like we have done elsewhere, Taiwan is ready to work with you.
The APHRS annual congress is one of the most important cardiac arrhythmia events in the world, so we are honored to see this congress being hosted in Taiwan. And I trust this event will spark greater exchanges and collaboration projects between Taiwan and the world.
I want to close by thanking you for the contributions you have made in the past, and the contributions you are sure to make tomorrow. I look forward to collaborating with you to build a healthier world, and wish this congress every success. Thank you.