The 2012 Taiwan Health Forum brought international experts and government officials together for two days of discussion on public health issues focused on converting knowledge to practice, building global partnerships and training personnel.
“Now in its eighth edition, the forum has become an important platform for international cooperation and exchange of experience, strengthening global connections and contributing to the health and happiness of all mankind,” ROC Deputy Health Minister Day Guey-ing said at the closing ceremony Nov. 15.
Yu Kwong-leung, superintendent of southern Taiwan’s Pingtung Christian Hospital, provided an example of international cooperation in his institution’s use of community-based development to promote health care in Africa.
Michele Shipp, former assistant director of the Ohio Department of Health in the U.S., pointed out directions for future work. “In contrast to the progress made with communicable diseases, the treatment and prevention of noncommunicable diseases and the equitable distribution of medical resources still require close attention and cooperation among global partners,” she said.
The event at National Central Library in Taipei City was attended by leaders of the world’s largest public health organizations—the American Public Health Association, World Federation of Public Health Associations and Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health.
High-ranking officials from Asia-Pacific countries as well as representatives from a range of important international bodies, including the World Medical Association, European Parliament, World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa and U.N. Development Programme also took part. (THN)