Taiwan’s Vice President Hsiao Bi-Khim Advocates Innovations in Medtech, Biotech, and Healthtech

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim reaffirmed her commitment to Taiwan’s healthcare innovation and defense medical advancements during her visit to the Healthcare+ Expo Taiwan 2024. Held from December 5 to 8, the exhibition served as a platform showcasing the nation’s innovations in Medtech, Biotech, and Healthtech. At the exhibition, Vice President Hsiao toured 11 booths, meeting with KOLs and exploring the various innovations that the Expo offered. Throughout the tour, an underlying emphasis on the critical role of artificial intelligence (AI) and related development in the tech industries was exhibited, lending shape to the future of healthcare.

Advancements in 3D Surgical Imaging, AI Diagnostics, and Metaverse-Based Surgical Training Set to Revolutionize Medical Practices

With a strong emphasis on AI-powered diagnostics, precision medicine, and high-efficiency healthcare management systems, the event highlighted Taiwan’s leadership in leveraging technology to revolutionize healthcare. For instance, NVIDIA has been a key player in advancing AI technology for healthcare through its Clara platform, which accelerates medical imaging, genomics, and drug discovery. The platform helps healthcare professionals achieve faster, more accurate diagnoses by utilizing deep learning algorithms to analyze medical scans, identify patterns, and predict patient outcomes.

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s semiconductor leader TSMC has played an important role in supporting healthcare innovation by producing advanced chips that power AI and IoT devices used in medical fields. TSMC’s high-performance semiconductor chips are essential for devices like AI-based diagnostic tools, wearable health monitors, and robotic surgical systems. Similar advancements were on full display at the exhibition, where groundbreaking solutions, from advanced surgical imaging to smart health systems, demonstrated the power of technology in revolutionizing healthcare. Vice President Hsiao’s active participation reassured the government’s steadfast commitment to fostering and enhancing industry collaborations, and positioning Taiwan as a global hub for medical and technological advancements. 

Accompanied by Chi-Huey Wong, Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry (IBMI), and Wu Ming-fa, COO of the IBMI, Vice President Hsiao visited exhibits from leading institutions, including AUO Corporation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center, and Chi Mei Medical Center. She explored a variety of advanced technologies, including 3D surgical imaging, AI-driven diagnostic tools, and metaverse-based surgical training, all aimed at improving the accuracy and efficiency of medical procedures.

AI solutions Addressing Linguistic Background Challenges and Supporting Aging Populations With Daily Tasks

During her visit to the Hualien Tzu Chi Medical Center booth, Vice President Hsiao acknowledged the institution’s significant global presence, with Tzu Chi’s medical missions extending to countries such as the United States, Indonesia, and the Philippines. In these regions, Tzu Chi provides a range of humanitarian aid, including disaster relief, free medical clinics, and the establishment of long-term healthcare programs for underserved communities. Vice President Hsiao emphasized that the integration of AI-driven healthcare solutions could further enhance these efforts made not only by Tzu Chu, but other healthcare organizations globally.  At the booth, Tzu Chi showcased their AI-assisted voice education system, capable of delivering medical instructions in four languages. This system is designed to alleviate the growing pressure on nursing staff, who often face challenges in communicating effectively with patients from different linguistic backgrounds. 

Vice President Hsiao also visited Taipei Municipal Gan-Dau Hospital’s “Ageless Healthy Livable Zone,” where she was particularly impressed by the “Zenbo Jr” home companion robot. Designed to support healthy aging, the robot utilizes AI-powered technology to assist seniors with daily activities, offering them practical support. The robot’s capabilities include healthcare monitoring, reminding users about medication, and helping with routine tasks such as setting appointments and navigating the home. During her visit, the Vice President expressed her enthusiasm for the potential of digital health solutions like Zenbo Jr, highlighting how such technologies could help meet the needs of aging populations, improve their well-being, and mitigate the challenges associated with aging. This innovation is similar to robot-operated restaurants in Japan, where AI-driven systems not only aid in serving food but also provide employment opportunities for disabled individuals, demonstrating how technology can empower both elderly people and marginalized communities.

G-LOC Prevention Device Enhances Pilot Safety by Simulating High-G Environments for Better Tolerance

The 8th Healthcare+ Expo Taiwan 2024 marked a significant milestone in global healthcare innovation, with over 650 exhibitors, 2,300 booths, and more than 74,000 visitors from around the world. The event attracted 1,500 international buyers and 36,500 healthcare professionals, reinforcing the growing demand for Medtech, Biotech, and Healthtech solutions. Additionally, the expo demonstrated the crucial role of cross-border collaboration in shaping the future of healthcare.

Author

Denisse Sandoval