Thank you for welcoming me to Mbabane Government Hospital. This is my first trip to Africa, and particularly Swaziland, so I'm eager to see as much as I can and do as much as I can.
I know that healthcare is important to Swaziland. Despite all the progress made over the past years, I recognize there are monumental challenges that remain in terms of HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases, and ensuring the ample supply of doctors and nurses. I'm so glad that we have so many young and promising doctors who have experiences in Taiwan and who can make it here today with us.
Taiwan has an obligation to help. Good healthcare starts with good primary care. Dr. Tu and his colleagues at the Taiwan Medical Mission have traveled across this country, from Ngudzeni to Endzingeni, engaging in outreach and providing free medical checkups. Their work has touched the lives of thousands of Swazi people all across the country. Furthermore, I know that their presence here in this government hospital has strengthened the work of Swaziland's health practitioners.
Since 2008, this team has been handling many difficult cases that would have been referred to South Africa in the past. They have assisted in hospital management and the training of new doctors. They have come up with new hygiene and nutrition programs for children, too.
With the completion of the Referral and Emergency Complex next year – a facility made possible by support from the Taiwanese people – Taiwan will be able to do even more to enhance Swaziland's health services.
All this work complements His Majesty the King's National Development Strategy Vision 2022. As a partner and friend, Taiwan is committed to supporting the objectives laid out in this strategy, which will improve the lives and the living standards of all people in Swaziland.
Another part of Taiwan's work is to support the training of Swazi doctors. I am pleased today to meet 10 new graduates from I-Shou University's School of Medicine in Taiwan.
You are the first class of graduates from Taiwan. Sixty more medical students, currently studying in Taiwan, will soon follow in your footsteps. What you do will reflect on the promise of the longstanding partnership between Taiwan and Swaziland. My congratulations to you on your graduation and my best wishes as you begin your careers.
In closing, I wish to say a few words to our medical team:
In addition to seeing the accomplishments of Taiwan-Swaziland medical cooperation first-hand, it is most important to see Dr. Tu, our friends in the medical mission, and young people doing their alternative national service overseas to express my gratitude for your efforts in person. Over the past several years, the members of the medical mission have not only improved local healthcare, but also strengthened the friendship between Taiwan and Swaziland.
You have all come to a far-away country, giving your all while overcoming all kinds of challenges, a grueling test for everyone. Taipei Medical University Hospital Superintendent Dr. Ray Jade Chen (陳瑞杰) is also on hand today. I want to give him an assignment. Since we have traveled so far to be here, I want to ask Dr. Chen to listen to what the medical mission personnel think about their work, and their suggestions, and help them resolve problems.
Please let me know wherever the government can help so that we can support the Taiwan Medical Mission, and work together to further Taiwan's foreign relations.
So I want to thank you for what you've done for Taiwan and Swaziland. Thank you!