World Medical (Association) Journal introduces Taiwan Medical Association

Dear EFTHA friends,

The World Medical Journal, official journal of the World Medical Association, has a full-page coverage of the Taiwan Medical Association in the issue of May, 2008. We are pleased to share this with all.

http://www.wma.net/e/publications/pdf/wmj18.pdf

Th e Taiwan Medical AssociationTh e Taiwan Medical Association (TMA)was established in 1930 to advance medicalknowledge, to uphold members’ rights,to strengthen physician-patient relations,as well as to advocate social services. Th eTMA is composed of regional medical associationsfrom 23 counties around Taiwan.Its membership is compulsory for everypracticing physician. Among the total 36991 TMA members (fi gure for the end of2007), 30% practice in medical centres, 13%in regional hospitals, 18% in local hospitals,and 39% in private clinics. Th e physicianpatientratio is 1:653.Th e TMA has formed ten committees tocarry out its various missions and duties.Th ese include Health Care Policy Committee,National Health Insurance Committee,Health Industry Advisory Committee,Medical Laws and Regulations Committee,Academic Committee, Member WelfareCommittee, Medical Ethics and DisciplineCommittee, International Aff airs Committee,Public Relations Committee, and PublicationsCommittee. In many areas, ad hoctask forces are set up to study relevant issuesand to provide policy suggestions for theExecutive Board.For more than a decade, the TMA has activelyparticipated in several key areas topromote the health of all Taiwanese, includingthe formulation and revision of apatient-centred National Health InsurancePolicy in Taiwan, the advocacy of qualityof care and patient safety, the implementationof continuing medical education, andthe uplift of moral standards of health careprofessionals. In the international forum,the TMA joins forces with the rest of theworld through the World Medical Associationand CMAAO to increase its visibility,and to express Taiwan’s good will to servethe international community. In time of disastersand emergency around the globe, theTMA has taken little time in mobilising itsmembers to provide emergency relief andmedical aid to people in need.Th e TMA has established close interactionwith the WMA in recent years by participatingin various programs and activities.Th e translation and publication of “Manualof Medical Ethics” of WMA enables TMAmembers to share WMA’s policy changes,its functions and the contribution to allphysicians around the world. By workingwith the WMA in devising declarationsand policies, the TMA acquires updated informationon medicine, ethics, and medicaleducation.Th e TMA strongly believes in the collaborationamong all national medical associationsunder the auspice of the WMA.Th e sharing of information and resources,and the joint eff ort in international medicalassistance will enable us to create a trulyglobal village.Dr. Ming-Been Lee, the President of TMATaiwan Medical Assembly in 2007