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In September, Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Administration expanded coverage to 46 da Vinci robotic-assisted surgeries, benefiting 8,400 patients annually. Patients now only pay material copayments, adding NT$285 million (US$8.75 million) to the NHI budget. This change boosts healthcare efficiency and improves patient outcomes, with fewer complications and faster recoveries, making robotic-assisted surgery a cost-effective long-term solution despite initial costs.

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Becton, Dickinson and Co. (BD) has evolved from a syringe manufacturer into a leading MedTech company, driving digital transformation in healthcare with solutions like automated pharmacy systems that improve efficiency and patient outcomes. In Taiwan, BD’s innovations align with the government’s “Healthy Taiwan” initiative, as the country aims to establish itself as a MedTech hub. Despite Taiwan’s strengths in electronics and healthcare, challenges such as improving software and aligning regulatory standards with global norms remain. As AI becomes integral to healthcare, addressing these issues will be crucial for Taiwan’s MedTech competitiveness.

Industry Focus

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TSMC is experiencing remarkable growth, driven by the soaring demand for advanced AI chips and expanding its global operations. However, the company faces challenges, including potential cultural clashes at its new U.S. facility and the risk of supply chain disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions and evolving AI market dynamics.

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Taiwan’s new government is spearheading the “Healthy Taiwan” initiative to revamp the nation’s healthcare system with ambitious goals, including reducing cancer deaths by a third by 2030 and improving access to cutting-edge treatments. The plan involves increasing early disease detection, integrating new cancer drugs into the National Health Insurance (NHI), and enhancing overall health care services without overextending the NHI’s budget. Key elements include a comprehensive health exam for citizens, telemedicine, and a significant fund dedicated to advanced cancer treatments.

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In Taiwan, the critical need for adult vaccinations is growing, yet many adults are not up-to-date due to financial barriers and lack of awareness. Vaccines like HPV and flu are often not covered by public health insurance for adults, leading to lower vaccination rates. Improving public education, making vaccines more accessible, and learning from successful vaccination strategies can enhance adult immunization and public health.

Industry Focus

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Taiwan’s rapidly expanding fitness industry is driven by a growing appetite for sports nutrition products tailored to local tastes and preferences. By Simon Xiao The modern world can be fast-paced, impersonal, and unfriendly at times. For many urbanites, personal fitness functions as an escape from busy routines – a ritual centered on self-improvement and self-care….

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Given their validation of Taiwan’s sovereignty and geostrategic importance, these small and oft-overlooked countries can punch above their weight.  On January 15, the Pacific island nation of Nauru abruptly terminated its diplomatic relationship with Taiwan and re-established ties with the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The timing of Nauru’s move was no coincidence – it…

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For decades, an industrial area in Kaohsiung has shown the way for sustainable development through a system of sharing resources among competitors. BY LILLYGOL SEDAGHAT AND CORY HOWELL HAMADA  At Kaohsiung’s Linhai Eco-Industrial Park, a massive network of pipes snakes through the streets and along local waterways, connecting industrial facilities and processing plants while directly…