Overview:
Sixteen young Taiwanese health professionals wrapped up a 14-day public health mission in Palau on July 29, offering free community screenings for diabetes, oral health, and chronic disease while building on growing Taiwan-Palau health ties.
Under the GRACE Practicum program, young health professionals delivered community health screenings, engaged with Palauan leadership, and advanced sustainable health initiatives from July 16 to July 29, 2026.
KOROR, Palau — July 29, 2026 — Marking a significant milestone in Taiwan-Palau health cooperation, a 16-member Taiwanese youth delegation under the “GRACE Practicum” program today completed a successful 14-day public health mission in Palau. Arriving on July 16 and departing today, July 29, 2026, the young delegates spent two weeks conducting community health screenings, raising health awareness, and laying the groundwork for sustainable health promotion across the island nation.
The GRACE Practicum is a flagship international field initiative under the “Taiwan Global Pathfinders Initiative,” supported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education Youth Development Administration and executed by Fu Jen Catholic University (FJCU). Designed by FJCU President Dr. Yi-Chen Lan, Vice Dean of the College of Medicine Dr. Yu-Wen Lin, Endowed Chair Professor Dr. Shun-Mu Wang, and Dr. Kenny Kaisiang Chen, Special Advisor to Palau’s Ministry of Health and Human Services, the delegation brought together young talents aged 18 to 30 spanning medicine, dentistry, traditional Chinese medicine, public health, and nursing.
High-Level Engagements and Strategic Exchange
During their 14-day stay, the youth delegation visited Belau National Hospital and the Health Care Fund office, and was received in person by Palauan President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. The team also held in-depth discussions with Dr. Victor Yano, former Minister of Health Services and current Health Care Fund committee chair, gaining crucial insights into Palau’s healthcare structure, chronic disease prevalence, and public health policies.
At the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Palau, Ambassador Andy Kang-Yi Chen commended the delegates for stepping out of their comfort zones to demonstrate Taiwan’s humanistic spirit. Accompanied by Ambassador Chen, the team presented their core objectives to President Whipps Jr.: conducting community screenings for oral health, diabetes, and other chronic conditions to establish a foundational health dataset for Palau while leaving behind an empowering model for ongoing health promotion.
Grassroots Action and Cultural Understanding
Every morning throughout the mission, delegates wearing signature yellow vests walked through neighborhoods, supermarkets, clinics, and streets, offering Taiwanese pineapple cakes and greeting residents with a warm “Alii.” Their work transformed abstract health statistics into genuine human connections as residents shared health histories and invited family members to participate.
Reflecting on their journey as they conclude their mission on July 29, the delegates highlighted four pivotal insights gained from the field:
- Valuing Healthcare Resources: Experiencing Palau’s reliance on a single public hospital and frequent overseas referrals underscored the privilege of accessible care.
- Respecting Culture: Recognizing the cultural significance of betel nut, the team focused on walking alongside residents toward healthier alternatives rather than imposing top-down changes.
- Building Authentic Trust: Overcoming language barriers with sincerity, warm smiles, and gestures proved that true communication transcends words.
- Empowering Community Care: Seeing how families, churches, and neighborhoods share healthcare responsibilities revealed health as a collective, community-led effort.
“We thought we came to help Palau, but in the end, we realized it was us who were changed,” noted one delegate. “Medicine is not about arriving with all the answers — it is about humbly stepping into someone else’s life.”
Moving forward, the GRACE Practicum plans to amplify its impact through academic research, digital storytelling, and continued international partnerships. The delegation extends its sincere gratitude to Belau National Hospital, Surangel’s Supercenter, Palau Royal Resort, Pristine Earth, and Ms. Chia-Tong Jou for their generous support throughout this transformative journey.
Media Contact:
- Organization: Fu Jen Catholic University / GRACE Practicum Project Office
