Vice President Lai Ching-te (first row, seventh left) is joined by officials and business representatives at an AI applications seminar marking the 25th anniversary of Taiwan’s NHI system Oct. 27 in Taipei City. (Courtesy of the Presidential Office)

The government is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance system by redoubling efforts to improve the country’s medical care treatment standards while promoting development of smart and precision medicine, Vice President Lai Ching-te said Oct. 27.

Taiwan’s NHI plays a key role in protecting health of the people and ensuring the equality of medical rights, Lai said. The system is popular and considered a success as evidenced by a satisfaction rate of 90 percent in the latest user survey, he added.

Lai made the remarks during an artificial intelligence applications seminar marking a quarter of a century since the NHI’s launch organized by the NHI Administration under the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Taipei City.

According to Lai, the NHIA has made significant contributions in strengthening Taiwan’s response to COVID-19. Its database enabled effective track and tracing, as well as rationing of surgical masks, he said.

The NHIA is also working with the public and private sectors in advancing Taiwan’s medical development, Lai said. He cited examples such as a medical imaging classification plan with the Cabinet-level National Development Council under the Asia Silicon Valley project, an AI cloud computing platform in collaboration with Taoyuan City-based Quanta Computer Inc. in northern Taiwan, and an AI interpretation model for chest X-ray images with Tainan City-based National Cheng Kung University Hospital in southern Taiwan.

Lai said Taiwan is recognized for its outstanding information and communication technology industry and high-class medical professionals. Based on these strengths, the government will continue enhancing the regulatory environment while assisting the biomedicine and ICT sectors in developing smart and precision medical care, he added.

Proposed by the NDC, the Internet of Things-focused ASV seeks to optimize the local startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem; construct diversified demonstration sites for smart products and services; enhance linkages with renowned high-tech clusters worldwide; and build a complete IoT supply chain in Taiwan.

Established in March 1995, the NHI is regularly praised at home and abroad as a model health care system. It covers more than 99 percent of Taiwan’s 23 million people, and offers a comprehensive range of leading-edge medical services. (YCH-E)