In a bid to strengthen U.S.-Taiwan collaboration on health, with the joint efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on health cooperation was signed by American Institute in Taiwan Director Brent Christensen and Taiwan Council for U.S. Affairs Chairperson Yang Jen-ni on Aug. 10, 2020 in Taipei, witnessed by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and MOHW Minister Chen Shih-chung. The MOU is a testament to the close, strong and friendly partnership between the U.S. and Taiwan.

Taiwan and the U.S. have more than 20 years of public health cooperation and have jointly worked on issues including responses to emerging infectious diseases and dengue vaccines. The newly inked MOU will further expand the scope of ongoing cooperation to include global health security, infectious disease prevention and control, chronic disease prevention and health promotion, maternal, infant and adolescent health, environmental health, occupational health, tobacco control, health inequality, digital health, misuse of opioids, health communication and developing health talent. Other areas of potential cooperation may also be included in the future after discussion. Under the framework of the MOU, methods of cooperation may include cooperative programs, science and research projects, personnel exchange, training and bilateral visits, consultations, meetings, workshops, and conferences, as well as establishment of contact points to facilitate exchange of best practices, expertise, and information. This MOU aims to enhance the health and wellbeing of the people of Taiwan and the U.S. as well as promote global health security.

[2020-08-10 / Ministry of Health and Welfare]