September 22, 2025
Taiwan-based Tzu Chi doctors strengthen ties with Philippine counterparts
By Joy Rojas
Delegates from the Taiwan-based Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital and Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital were in the Philippines to promote their hospital’s respective healthcare services, share cutting-edge approaches to treatment, and strengthen new and existing ties with their counterparts in the country.
From September 17 to 19, the Tzu Chi hospitals were among the exhibitors of Taiwan Expo 2025 Philippines, held at the SMX Convention Center Manila.
As two of the 21 exhibitors at the Taiwan Healthcare Pavilion, the hospitals highlighted their advancements in specific fields of medicine, and encouraged Filipinos to consider treatment under their care.
Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital uses minimally invasive approaches for cranio-spinal neurosurgery, total hip arthroplasty, arthroscopic cartilage regeneration, and Da Vinci robotic surgery for colorectal cancer. Bone marrow/stem cell transplant and treatment of blood diseases, deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease, and total joint replacement of the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee are among the specialties of Hualian Tzu Chi Hospital.
Regular flights from the Philippines to Taiwan make these treatments accessible to Filipinos, while various accommodations near the hospitals ensure a most comfortable medical journey.
On September 18, key personalities from Dalin and Hualien hospitals joined doctors from Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC) in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding organized at the boardroom of CGHMC’s Medical Arts Building in Manila. Through this landmark agreement between hospitals, valuable knowledge and expertise, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine, can be taught and shared, for the well-being of many patients.
“It's truly an honor to be here today and help all Tzu Chi hospitals, to learn and exchange with all of you. Our two hospitals have built a growth combination since 2019. Doctors from different specialties come to Hualien for training, and our teaching department has taken a very strong lead with CGHMC,” noted Dr. Jhong-Kuei Chen, deputy director of the International Medical Center of Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital.
“Through the re-signing of this memorandum, we will be able to develop deeper cooperation in the fields of medicine, education, and public health, and bring even more benefits to the Filipino community and society,” said Szu-Ching Shen, PhD, director of Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital’s Department of Strategy and Planning & International Medical Center. “Let us work together to create a new chapter in this charitable medical career.”
The delegates capped their visit with free lectures on their application of Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine in addressing diseases.
On September 19 at the Jing Si Hall of Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, Dr. Jhong-Kuei Chen gave the talk “Analysis of diabetes from Chinese and Western medical perspectives, evidence-based research, lifestyle management, and integrative medicine.” The following evening, talks were presented by two Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital specialists. Dr. Chang-Chen Yang, director of Spine Surgery, spoke about minimally invasive spine surgery in the lecture “Relieve back and leg pain, regain every step.” He was followed by Dr. Shih-Kai Hung, director of Radiation Oncology and Cancer Center, who spoke about “Precision radiation oncology treatment.”
Doctors opened the floor to questions from the audience, then met guests for a private consultation.
“It is a good opportunity for us to learn from these Taiwan hospitals,” said Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez. “We hope to have more interactions like these in the near future.”
Visitors explore the various booths at the Taiwan Healthcare Pavilion of Taiwan Expo 2025 Philippines, held on September 17-19 at SMX Convention Center, Manila.
Delegates from Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital proudly raise their banner at their exhibit area.
Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital’s representatives give the thumbs-up sign as they display their banner.
Zheng Shunxian (second from left) entertains queries on Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital International Medical Center, of which he is the deputy chief resident.
At Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (from left), CGHMC board member Dr. Alberto Tan Lee; Kelly Sia, CGHMC president and CEO; Szu-Ching Shen, PhD, of Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital; Antonio Tan, chairman of the board of Philippine Chinese Charitable Association, Incorporated (PCCAI); Dr. Jhong-Kuei Chen of Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital; Dr. Benito Goyokpin, CGH College president and chairman; and Henry Yuñez, Tzu Chi Philippines CEO sign the landmark Memorandum of Understanding between CGHMC and the Taiwan-based hospitals.
“It's truly an honor to be here today and help all Tzu Chi hospitals, to learn and exchange with all of you,” said Dr. Jhong-Kuei Chen, deputy director of International Medical Center of Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital.
“Through the re-signing of this memorandum, we will be able to develop deeper cooperation in the fields of medicine, education, and public health, and bring even more benefits to the Filipino community and society,” said Szu-Ching Shen, PhD, director of Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital’s Department of Strategy and Planning & International Medical Center.
Tzu Chi Philippines CEO Henry Yuñez (right) chats with Chinese General Hospital College President and Chairman Dr. Benito Goyokpin before the signing of the MOU. “It is a good opportunity for us to learn from these Taiwan hospitals,” said CEO Yuñez. “We hope to have more interactions like these in the near future.”
Visiting delegates from Tzu Chi hospitals in Dalin and Hualien, Taiwan, are joined in a group photo by representatives from Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center, doctor consultants of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines volunteers.
Dr. Jhong-Kuei Chen, attending physician of Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital’s Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, gave the talk “Analysis of diabetes from Chinese and Western medical perspectives, evidence-based research, lifestyle management, and integrative medicine” at the Jing Si Hall of Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus, Sta. Mesa, Manila, on the evening of September 19.
Aculife, one of the exhibitors at the Taiwan Healthcare Pavilion of Taiwan Expo 2025 Philippines, was invited to the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, on September 19, to check guests’ health issues through acupressure points on their hand.
Tzu Chi volunteer Wilson Hung (first from right) leads delegates from Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital and Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital in a September 20 tour around the Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
On September 20, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital’s Dr. Chang-Chen Yang spoke about minimally invasive spine surgery in his lecture “Relieve back and leg pain, regain every step.”
Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital’s Dr. Shih-Kai Hung chats with guests after his talk on “Precision radiation oncology treatment.”
Tzu Chi Philippines CEO expressed his gratitude to the Taiwanese doctors for coming to the country to share their knowledge and expertise.