2007 year Press Release
Solomon Islands Ambassador Beraki Jino presented awards on behalf of his nation's Minister of Health and Medical Services to three Taiwanese medical experts Aug. 3. The event, which took place at the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Taipei, was held to express gratitude to the Taiwan International Health Action for medical aid and disaster relief provided after an earthquake and tsunami hit the island nation in April, Taiwan's Central News Agency reported Aug. 3.Disaster relievers honored - Provided by Taiwan Journal
The three recipients were Chen Hou-chaung, a Taichung Hospital orthopedic surgeon who is also chief of TaiwanIHA's medical division, Tseng Shu-chuan, from the Department of Family Medicine at the Wanfang Hospital in Taipei, and Chou Mei-chu, a public health expert at Yale University.
TaiwanIHA, which was launched in February 2006 and jointly funded by the DOH and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, drew on expertise from various governmental agencies and private bodies to integrate human resources and equipment for international medical assistance, often in coordination with other international health organizations, Chen Tzay-jinn, DOH deputy minister and TaiwanIHA convener, said Aug. 8.
"Since its inception, TaiwanIHA has participated in several international rescue missions," Chen noted.
An earthquake of magnitude 8.2 struck the Solomon Islands--one of Taiwan's Pacific allies--April 2, and, with the resulting tsunami, caused 43 deaths and thousands of injuries.
On hearing the news, the government of Taiwan donated US$200,000 through its embassy in the Solomon Islands, the MOFA stated Aug. 2.
Receiving news via the Humanitarian Early Warning System, TaiwanIHA quickly dispatched a medical team with 200 kilograms of medicines and equipment, which arrived in the Solomon Islands April 5, Chen said. "Assisted by the Taiwan embassy, our doctors and the medical mission team began to offer after-disaster assistance, particularly in remote, offshore islets where transportation is difficult."
Ghizo Island was among the most severely hit areas, and the public Gizo Hospital on the island was forced to move from the coast to a nearby hill due to the tsunami.
"Overcoming transportation difficulties, the TaiwanIHA team was the first foreign medical group to arrive on Ghizo Island and offer assistance," Chen Hou-chaung claimed Aug. 8. Arrival of the TaiwanIHA team relieved pressure on local medical personnel and complemented the hospital's medical treatment, he said. "In addition to Ghizo Island, we went to offshore islets, such as Simbo Island, to serve other residents."
A large fishing vessel taking Taiwanese and other foreign rescue teams between the islets became stuck on an atoll during the relief efforts, Chen recalled. Fortunately, a U.S. Navy helicopter came to the crew's aid. "This showed how risky such a mission is and how important international cooperation is," he said.
"One key principle in providing medical aid in foreign countries is to fully collaborate with local medical staff," Chen Tzay-jinn explained, "since they know more about their endemic diseases, while we are more experienced in treating diseases that occur after disasters." Collaboration could help control the situation in the shortest time, he claimed. "Another principle is to respect local cultures and customs, so as to avoid misunderstandings and to enhance efficiency."
Chen stressed, "it doesn't matter whether a country has formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan or wherever a natural disaster occurs; as long as they need us, we are more than willing to be present."