Taipei Medical University

The existing African resources of each school and the status of exchanges with local countries

Since 2009, Taipei Medical University has been contributing to African talent cultivation. Until 2021, there are more than African 91 alumni graduated from TMU, Besides, the International Health Doctorate Program and the International Medical Management Master's Program supported by ICDF are specialized for graduate students from Africa. In this academic year, total 28 African students coming from 8 different countries study a master or doctoral program at TMU, mainly from Eswatini, Nigeria and Gambia.

Since 2009, Taipei Medical University has stationed Taiwan Medical Mission, a resident medical team, at Mbabane Government Hospital in the Kingdom of Eswatini. In addition to providing clinical service at Mbabane Government Hospital, Taiwan Medical Mission also organizes several outreach services at rural communities in Eswatini every year. The cooperation between Taipei Medical University and facilities in Africa is conducted by Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases and Research Center of International Tropical Medicine, College of Medicine. From 2009 to present, Prof. Chia-Kwung Fan, a professor in Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases and also the Head of Research Center of International Tropical Medicine, leads parasitic infection control and prevention team as well as TMU FLYoung International Service team to Eswatini in every summer vocation to contribute to epidemiological investigations, parasites clinical examination skills training and transfer program, and medical volunteer activities. Prof. Fan’s team collaborate with Eswatini Health Laboratory Service, Eswatini National Blood Transfusion Service, National Bilharzia (Schistosomiasis) Worm Control Program and National Malaria Programme, not only establishing great friendship and get fruitful achievements but also acquiring great reputations from Ministry of Health.

In addition, Taipei Medical University stationed a resident medical team in the Republic of Sao Tome and Principe from 2010 to 2016, Western Africa. Prof. Fan also led parasitic infection control and prevention team to do epidemiological investigations. Based on the related experiences in Eswatini, Prof. Fan’s team worked together with local technicians and public health staff as well as shared analyzed data to each other. A great reputation was also obtained from São Tomé and Príncipe Government.

Prof. Fan also collaborates with Prof. Akinwale Olaolu Pheabian, the Director of Research and the Head of Department of Public Health and Epidemiology in Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, and Prof. Oluyomi Abayomi Sowemimo, the Senior Lecturer of Department of Zoology, Obafemi Awolowo University, in Nigeria.