THT: Since Taiwan and Somaliland established relations that ensued with a very succinct cooperation memorundum, the health component has garnered numerous benefits.
The Taiwanese Representative Office in the Republic of Somaliland established in August in 2020, has so far implemented the “Maternal and Infant Health Care Improvement Project” under the framework of the “ICDF (International Cooperation and Development Fund) Technical Cooperation Agreement”, as well as various assistance for combating COVID-19 pandemic including PCR machines, antigen rapid tests, masks, PPEs, oxygen generators and Taiwan made Midgen vaccines to show Taiwan-Somaliland rock-solid friendship,
This is according to Taiwan’s envoy to Somaliland Ambassador Allen C. LOU, in Hargeisa where the governments of Somaliland and Taiwan unveiled the implementation of the Health Information Management Efficiency Enhancement Project (Digital Health).
“WEAPONS cannot increase human welfare, but HEALTH does” Amb Lou
The project which will be piloted in a limited number of health care facilities will help digitize patient and hospital management is a collaborative effort between Somaliland’s Ministry of Health Development, Taiwan ICDF, and Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital.
Officiating the function with Amb Lou was the Somaliland deputy Health minister Liban Yusuf Osman both of whom were flanked by officials from their respective offices.
Affirming that Taiwan’s health care system has been ranked the 1st in the world three years in a row, Amb Lou added that Taiwan is willing to share what she has and good at with Somaliland and other like-minded countries.
This project will demonstrate the synergy effect when health meets technology. The project will also create a win-win-win situation to benefit the people, healthcare institutions and government.
“Taiwan always has the will and ability to contribute to the international society. It is not acceptable that Taiwan has been politicalized not to join WHA and WHO activities to contribute more in the coming years. Taiwan believes that “WEAPONS cannot increase human welfare, but HEALTH does”. Taiwan will continue to safeguard the universal health values and to honor our commitments on health cooperation to benefit the people.” said Ambassador Allen Lou.
Upon commenting on the win-win relations between the two countries Deputy Health Minister Liban Yusuf said that health knows no borders adding that the “Somaliland government is committed to improve the national medical level” while revealing that “Under this project, the bilateral health cooperation will be more comprehensive and productive”.
A friend in need is a friend indeed. Taiwan is helping and Taiwan has long been contributing on many fronts. We believe that after more and more African countries understand what is Taiwan-model of cooperation in Somaliland, they will further to support “Let Taiwan help”.
On the other hand Taiwan, a technology powerhouse, is currently collaborating with the Ministry of Telecommunication and Technology on the implementation of e-government, secure data exchange between government entities, and a technology innovation hub.