Chiayi Christian Hospital, Dr. Wei Fu-chan awarded MOFA’s Friend of Foreign Service Medals

Chiayi Christian Hospital and Dr. Wei Fu-chan of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital were awarded the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Friend of Foreign Service Medals at a ceremony Dec. 19 in Taipei City.

Presented by MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu, the medals signify the deep appreciation of the government and people for CCH and the surgeon’s extensive contributions to promoting international medical cooperation and raising the global profile of Taiwan, according to the MOFA.

Taiwan is a powerhouse when it comes to medical technology and services, Wu said. In addition to strengthening ties with allies and enhancing the well-being of the people, the efforts of such health care institutions and professionals underscore the importance of the country’s meaningful participation in the World Health Organization, he added.

The ministry said CCH in the southern Taiwan county of Chiayi was recognized for implementing a variety of public projects in several allies, as well as Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Togo.

One of the most successful is a maternal and infant health care improvement project in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Since the initiative’s launch in July 2016, the percentage of women receiving postnatal treatment increased from 22 to 90 percent in areas covered by the program.

Wei, based at CGMH in northern Taiwan’s Taoyuan City, is an academician at Academia Sinica—the nation’s foremost research organization. His raft of innovative medical procedures are praised the world over, and positioned him as a leading figure in reconstructive microsurgery, according to the MOFA.

Over the past 30 years Wei has helped train around 2,300 surgeons from 80 plus countries and territories, as well as assisted in ministry’s international medical diplomacy campaigns. These include a documentary series in partnership with Discovery Channel spotlighting the country’s world-class health care. (SFC-E)