President William Lai on June 19 held a press conference titled “Building Trust through Policy Initiatives: A New Taiwan for an Era of Innovation” to mark his first month in office. During the news conference, President Lai announced plans to establish three special councils at the Presidential Office overseeing climate change, healthcare and all-out defense, which he will preside over personally during quarterly meetings.

On healthcare, the Healthy Taiwan Promotion Committee will be led by Healthy Taiwan Promotion Alliance Convener Chen Jyh-hong, Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry President Wong Chi-huey, and Minister without Portfolio Chen Shih-chung. President Lai highlighted several health challenges that have posted significant threats to the Taiwanese population in recent years, including antibiotic-resistant superbugs, transnational diseases of unknown origin, and cancer, which remains the leading cause of death in Taiwan.

President Lai further added that the committee will aim to improve the working conditions of health professionals, optimize the National Health Insurance and ensure its financial sustainability, as well as establish a NT$10 billion Cancer Drug Fund and advance cancer prevention and treatment.

[2024-6-19/Central News Agency (CNA)]