The 2016 Medical Mission from the Republic of China Shin Kong Hospital has recently concluded its visit to the Republic of Palau providing free medical services to the people of Palau. This year, the medical team focused on three medical specialty areas which are Gastroenterology, Dermatology and Pulmonology. .
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The Taiwan Medical Mission from Shin Kong Hospital was from August 17 to 31, 2016. More than 250 patients were seen with 129 dermatology cases, 75 pulmonology cases and 63 gastroenterology cases. There were lots of patients had been referral to Taiwan and came back for follow-up.
The major lung disease in Palau are asthma and COPD(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). “There are lots of patients have wrong concept of using steroid and inhalator,” noted Dr. Patrick P.S. Hsu, the pulmonologist from Shin Kong Hospital. Due to the high prevalence of asthma, Dr. Hsu suggests to establish an asthma control program for community which includes proper medication usage and method, asthma management and daily life care.
To build capacity and improve health outcomes for the people of Palau is the main purpose of the mission. Besides seeing patients, Dr. Alex K.E. Chu and Dr. Wei-Chien Hsu, the gastroenterologists, have performed 14 gastroscopies and 3 colonoscopies with the brand new endoscopy machine in Belau National Hospital. The Shin Kong team also built up the standard operation procedure to maintain the endoscopes. It is possible to have endoscopy done in Palau to decrease the off-island referral cost in the future. Furthermore, 3 specialists conducted a Cancer Care Seminar for local doctors and nurses on August 19.
Taiwan Medical Program which conducted by Shin Kong Hospital and collaborative with Ministry of Health ensures that Palau’s patients receive quality, sustainable and affordable care both here at home and in Taiwan. [/restrict]