2023-03-27
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Mayor Lu pointed out that in her more than 30 years of political career, the health and social services have been the most important services in her mind. In the past 2-3 years, the global situation, including Taiwan, has been affected by the pandemic, and at the most severe time, people couldn't even go to restaurants to eat, which resulted in a downturn in restaurant businesses. Therefore, if all industries must develop, the policies for good health and for taking care of the health of the entire population are important. Additionally, there are always people in society who need help and care. As life goes on day by day, if we can still combine work with meaningful things, it is the responsibility and happiness of the officials. She feels happy as the mayor because she can serve the citizens, and she believes that the heads of various departments or colleagues in Ministry of Health and Welfare share the same feeling. This meeting is held in Taichung, and the city government places great importance to it. Both the central and local governments need expertise in health and social services, and the leaders are the best choices for the time being. Let's work together and cheer up!
Minister Xue pointed out that Taichung is a warm and welcoming place. During the past 3 years of the pandemic, Mayor Lu has provided great support to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Taichung's epidemic prevention performance can be considered top-notch in the country, not only in her opinion but also in the opinion of former Minister Chen Shih-chung's. Minister Chen was grateful that when the epidemic broke out, Mayor Lu immediately agreed to accommodate the Wuhan returnees who tested positive for the virus, which began the epidemic prevention efforts and led to large-scale epidemic prevention measures. He thanked Mayor Lu on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and praised the effectiveness and efficiency of the promotion of measures such as wearing masks, Covid-19 Antigen Self-Test, and vaccination. He also expressed gratitude to Director-General Tseng Tzu-chan for his proper arrangements.
Minister Xue also mentioned that the epidemic situation has cooled down, and the virus now is like seasonal flu, coexisting with society and the public. All industries are recovering, and there will be another development. Especially for the tourism industry, which has been greatly affected by the pandemic, as tourists return, the quality of tourism will be improved, and the economy will be revitalized. This is the top priority that the central and local governments must work together to achieve. The Ministry of Health and Welfare will be responsible for taking care of the health of the entire population, pushing society forward.
The Health Bureau stated that the planned visit for this meeting includes a visit to Adimmune Corporation, which is Taiwan's first professional vaccine research and production company and a member of the WHO International Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework (PIP Framework). This visit will involve observing the production and packaging process of the influenza vaccine, with a guided tour of the factory and professional explanation, to gain an on-site understanding of the vaccine production process and related certifications. The Health Bureau stated that vaccines are an important defense mechanism for the health of the public and national security. In the fight against epidemics, the government and private sector work closely together to protect Taiwan.
In addition, the meeting also arranged a visit to the Love Home in Taichung City, which is managed by the Maria Social Welfare Foundation commissioned by the Social Affairs Bureau. The park has an assistive device center, social resources center, and various association groups to provide diverse and continuous services such as day care, temporary care, and vocational training, providing comprehensive services for people with physical and mental disabilities. The Social Affairs Bureau stated that Love Home not only serves and cares for friends with disabilities, but also provides many services, such as sports and leisure, reading, and venue rental, hoping that the public can understand and respect diversity and advocate for a kind society that is loving, respectful, and tolerant, gathering the power of the community to create a friendly “inclusive” platform for friends with physical and mental disabilities.
The Health Bureau explained that they appreciate the invitation from the Ministry of Health and Welfare to gather local leaders of health and social services regularly to discuss various health and social welfare issues, integrate central and local resources, and let policies be smoothly implemented. Through the visit yesterday, they gained a deeper understanding of the achievements and the efforts of Taichung's health and social affairs. In the future, they will continue to exchange and interact with the central government and various counties and cities to implement policies of various public health and social welfare, working together to create a healthy and happy city.
The Social Affairs Bureau added that in order to expand the prevention of gender-based violence in communities, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has planned the “Primary Prevention Certification Program for Anti-Violence, Love and Peace Communities”. They tried to hold the program in 10 communities across the country last year, including New Taipei City, Taichung City, Kaohsiung City, Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Miaoli County, Changhua County, and Pingtung County, with the collaboration of 8 counties and cities. The Ministry of Health and Welfare also presented awards at yesterday's meeting of the leaders of Health Bureau and social affairs Bureau.
