Philippines, Taiwan strengthen medical ties through TCM partnership

The Philippine Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Physicians and Tzu Chi Hualien Hospital formalized a partnership on November 12, 2026, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila. 

The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in Traditional Chinese Medicine by sharing medical knowledge, clinical expertise, and professional experience. It also opens new opportunities for medical education, clinical training, research, and professional exchange between the Philippines and Taiwan.

The signing ceremony was attended by Minister Dustin Teng-shi Yang, deputy representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines, physicians from Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC), representatives from Tzu Chi Hualien Hospital, and volunteers from Tzu Chi Philippines. 

In his message, Minister Yang congratulated both parties and reaffirmed TECO’s commitment to supporting their joint efforts.

“Taiwan and the Philippines have built an enduring bridge of trust and mutual learning. So when we share medical knowledge and clinical expertise across borders, we do more than advance science. We build a lasting friendship and care for human life together,” he said.

Dr. Jhong-Kuei Chen, deputy irector of the International Medical Center and the Department of Chinese Medicine at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, emphasized the shared commitment of both countries to protecting lives and improving healthcare despite their different cultural backgrounds and medical systems.

“TCM cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines allows professional expertise to transcend borders and bring greater warmth and compassion to healthcare,” he said.

He added that both institutions hope to expand professional and clinical exchanges, Chinese medicine education and training, and academic and medical collaboration, creating more opportunities for practitioners from both countries to learn from one another.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cristina Magat, president of the Philippine Society of TCM Physicians, expressed her gratitude for Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital’s longstanding support, dating back to the early days of TCM education at the Chinese General Hospital College of Medicine and the establishment of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at CGHMC. 

She said the partnership would give Filipino physicians, both current practitioners and future members of the profession, greater opportunities to learn from Tzu Chi Hualien Hospital’s experience.

“We look forward to learning from one another and to giving our Filipino physician members, both present and future, the opportunity to learn from the experience of Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital. We hope this Memorandum of Understanding brings our institutions closer together and leads to achievements that last,” she said.

In closing, Dr. Magat emphasized that beyond medical knowledge and professional advancement, the practice of medicine must always remain centered on people.

“May we always remember that the practice of medicine, whether traditional or modern, is ultimately about people, about compassion, healing, and service.”

The partnership reflects Tzu Chi Foundation’s founding mission to safeguard life, health, and love, affirming that medical collaboration goes beyond exchanging expertise. It is also about working together to improve lives through compassionate and quality healthcare.