■ By Donna Lee

Dr. Tu Chi-cheng, center, head of the Taiwan Medical Mission in the Kingdom of Eswatini, performs life-saving brain surgery in the African ally. (Photos by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Taiwan’s medical missions make tangible contributions to realizing the international community’s shared vision of Health for All.

Love from Taiwan is improving the health and well-being of the people in allies and likeminded partners worldwide via a raft of farsighted initiatives utilizing the country’s extensive medical expertise and resources.

Outstanding examples of how Taiwan Can Help realize the U.N.’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — include the work of Dr. Tu Chicheng (杜繼誠), head of the Taiwan Medical Mission (TMM) in the Kingdom of Eswatini, and Mary Nambewe, a former traditional birth attendant (TBA) trained by TMM in Malawi.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ROC (Taiwan) and Eswatini established diplomatic relations in 1968. The countries partner on an array of projects spanning such areas as education, gender equality, health care and remote community electrification in line with the SDGs.

Assisting the people of Eswatini is a deeply personal commitment for Tu and the TMM team. Their work, which takes them to all corners of the landlocked ally in southern Africa, centers around conducting rural health clinics, dispensing pharmaceuticals and performing operations. Such activities have won hearts and minds, as well as strengthened the capabilities of front-line medical workers.

Tu, a neurosurgeon, has served in Eswatini for over a decade. Two locals with serious conditions requiring emergency surgery, Zwelethu Dlamini and Sibonakaliso Tsela, are shining examples of how Taiwan cares and shares for the betterment of all.

Dlamini experienced repeated instances of projectile vomiting and blackouts before being diagnosed with a subdural hemorrhage. The craniotomy performed by Tu and the TMM team went smoothly, with the patient transferred from intensive care to a general ward within three days and discharged from hospital shortly after.

TMM personnel regularly conduct front-line medical clinics free of charge for patients of all ages in the Kingdom of Eswatini. (Photos by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Tsela, who had a history of brain operations, suffered from projectile vomiting and migraines before his diagnosis with subdural empyema. The subsequent craniotomy and debridement, also carried out by Tu and the TMM team, saw the patient regain consciousness sooner than expected, breathe without life support a day after the operation and be released from hospital following a 28-day course of antibiotics.

The altruistic acts and services by Tu and the TMM team spotlight the passion and professionalism of Taiwan’s medical personnel. They further underscore the rocksolid bonds of friendship shared by Taiwan and Eswatini and the maxim underpinning bilateral ties: Promises made, promises kept.

Malawi, northeast of Eswatini, faces systemic health care challenges stemming from low life expectancy and high mortality—common indicators of the symbiotic relationship between poverty and disease.

During 42 years of diplomatic relations, the ROC (Taiwan) and Malawi have collaborated on numerous health initiatives benefiting the people. One of the highlights was the establishment of Mzuzu Central Hospital (MCH), opened in 1997 to much fanfare on the back of its advanced facilities and 300-bed capacity

In 2002, Pingtung Christian Hospital (PTCH) assumed management of MCH and established a TMM under the auspices of Taipei City-headquartered International Cooperation and Development Foundation (TaiwanICDF). Two years later, TMM set up Rainbow Clinic—an antiretroviral therapy unit recognized as the first of its kind to offer free AIDS treatment in the north of Malawi.

Established in 1996 under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, TaiwanICDF is the countr y ’s foremost foreign aid organization. It is dedicated to achieving socioeconomic progress, enhancing human resources and promoting economic activity in diplomatic allies and likeminded partners.

Mary Nambewe, a former traditional birth attendant trained by TMM, is joined by children she helped bring into the world on a community walk in Malawi. (Photos by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Tackling the former ally’s high maternal and infant mortality rates was a top priority for TMM, with one of the most effective undertakings the 2004-launched training program for TBAs at MCH.

In addition to basic public health education, the TMM team taught participants how to identify twins, transverse lies and other birth complications. Those completing the program received bicycles and obstetrical-gynecological equipment, enabling them to work farther afield and save lives.

Over the course of three years, 81 TBAs were trained—a solid result contributing to the halving of the 2004 infant mortality rate and lowering of the maternal mortality rate to nearly zero, according to Dr. Solomon Chih-cheng Chen (陳志成), head of TMM in Malawi.

Nambewe, one of seven TBAs from TMM’s class of 2007, continues to serve her community and Malawi. Her contributions demonstrate the effectiveness of Taiwan’s medical outreach and standing as a force for good in the world.

In 2008, when the ROC (Taiwan) ended diplomatic relations with Malawi after the latter’s decision to switch recognition from Taipei to Beijing, the country was forced to evacuate embassy, technical and medical mission staffers. All related initiatives and programs were discontinued and PTCH turned to nongovernmental organizations for support.

Eswatini and Malawi are just some of many success stories showing how Taiwan Can Help fast-track progress on SDG3—ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. They also serve as irrefutable proof that the country and its 23.5 million people are willing and able to fulfil the U.N.’s promise to Leave No One Behind and build 03 better tomorrows for all.