National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) has signed Letter of Intent with Kinmen County Government on April 7th to help elevate the medical standard of the off-shore island. With the establishment of NCKU Hospital Kinmen branch, Kinmen medical treatment will improve and the local citizens will enjoy a complete set of medical service.
“This signifies that NCKU has stepped into a new era”
The Letter of Intent is not only the first letter NCKU signed with a local government, it is also the first time for a university to reside in an off-shore island running a hospital and expanding its clinical services. "This signifies that NCKU has stepped into a new era," said Academician Michael Ming-Chiao Lai, President of NCKU.
The signing ceremony of the Letter of Intent between National Cheng Kung University and Kinmen Country Government was held at 9:00am, April 7th, in the Office of the President, Yun-Ping Building, Kuang-Fu Campus, NCKU. It was signed by Kinmen Country Magistrate Wo-Shi Lee and NCKU President Michael Ming-Chiao Lai. Both parties agreed to elevate the medical standard in Kinmen and serve the local and coastal residents.
The objective of the mutual cooperation is to promote the establishment of NCKU Hospital Kinmen Branch, including planning the necessary software and hardware facilities, dispatching personnel to assist the construction of Kinmen County Comprehensive Medical Building and striving to the Central Government for teaching and medical staffs.
President Lai expressed, "I am extremely pleased to sign the letter with Kinmen Country and to implement the medical cooperation. The relationship between Tainan and Kinmen goes way back. About 400 years ago, with Kinmen and Xiamen as his base, Koxinga (Cheng-Kung Cheng) departed Kinmen and landed in Tainan. In memory of his contributions, Taiwan Provincial College of Engineering was renamed National Cheng Kung University, revealing an intimate relationship between NCKU and Kinmen."
"National Cheng Kung University feels responsible and obligated to assist the development of Kinmen. In addition to participating in seminars in Kinmen, the delegation of College of Engineering has also traveled to Kinmen to discuss matters related to cooperation. I am glad that we will have a more intimate cooperation on medicine. Medical treatment is what Kinmen needs the most right now. NCKU has the responsibility and the ability to assist them. It is a good start and the first step for both sides to move forward. The signing ceremony today symbolizes NCKU stepping into a new era."
Kinmen County Magistrate Wo-Shi Lee said, "On behalf of the country government, I am honored to sign the Letter of Intent with my alma mater. I often think of how to elevate the quality of medical treatment in Kinmen and how to let local people receive better medical care. About 70% of people believe the first aspect which needs improvement is medical treatment. I hope the cooperation with NCKU will fulfill their expectations for medical improvement."
NCKU Hospital Director Pin-Wen Lin pointed out, the issue of the number of teaching and medical staffs required by NCKU Hospital Kinmen Branch needs Magistrate Wo-Shi Lee to appeal to the Central Government. On the aspect of funds, it is difficult for NCKU or the Hospital to bear. Thus the assistance of external funds is required.
Magistrate Wo-Shi Lee has promised a full government support on the funds. In addition to health insurance payments, the county government can provide more medical funds for medical treatment. The budget subsidized by the Central Government can also be used on medical treatment. After the establishment of the NCKU Hospital Kinmen Branch, a huge amount of traffic expenses will be saved as well.
Dr. Pin-Wen Lin and the associated personnel will visit Kinmen Hospital and Public Health Bureau on April 13th and 14th in order to provide a more detailed proposal, accelerate the pace of mutual cooperation and offer the best medical service for Kinmen residents.
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