National Taiwan University (NTU) Hospital held its 130th anniversary concert yesterday, where President William Lai praised the hospital as the most trusted by the people and the most critical institution in caring for patients with complex conditions. In a light-hearted moment, he jokingly referred to Superintendent Ming-Shiang Wu as “the person under the least pressure,” noting that while Wu is about to step down from a demanding role, his next post is already secured—he will move directly from NTU Hospital Superintendent to Dean of NTU’s College of Medicine, a rare and possibly unprecedented career transition.
President Lai expressed his pleasure at returning to the medical community and reconnecting with former classmates, saying it was an honor to gather for such a remarkable occasion. On behalf of the entire nation, he thanked NTU Hospital for its 130 years of service to Taiwan, society, and its people. He acknowledged the hospital’s role not only as a guardian of public health but also as a stabilizing force during the pandemic, and praised its leadership in medical education and research.
As both a medical professional and the President of Taiwan, Lai shared that he is constantly thinking about how to do more for the nation's health. This has inspired him to unite the medical community and broader society under the "Healthy Taiwan" initiative, aiming to improve national well-being and resilience. While life expectancy has increased, he noted that the number of years spent in poor health remains high. The goal is to extend average life expectancy from 79 to 82 years within eight years, while reducing the proportion of unhealthy years from 10% to 8%.
To achieve this, he emphasized the importance of cancer prevention and treatment. Cancer has been the leading cause of death in Taiwan for 43 consecutive years. This year, the government is investing an additional NT$4 billion to expand cancer screening by lowering the eligible age and broadening the screening scope, with the aim of early detection and intervention. He expressed his gratitude to NTU Hospital for its support in this effort.
President Lai then joked that in today’s gathering, Wu might be the most relaxed person, as he is about to step down from a demanding role with his next position already lined up. “It’s a double blessing,” Lai said. “You’re finishing your term as NTU Hospital Superintendent and heading straight into the role of Dean of the College of Medicine—you might be the first to do so.”
Historical records show that three former NTU Hospital superintendents—Du Tsung-Ming, Wei Huoyao, and Sze-Piao Yang—previously also served as deans of the College of Medicine, but these appointments date back many decades. Wu is the first in 40 years to follow this path.
Turning to NTU Vice President Chang Shang-Chun, President Lai teased, “Vice President Chang, you’d better be careful—you might be promoted to president next.”
Wu remarked that NTU Hospital’s 130-year history mirrors the modernization of Taiwan’s healthcare system. From its original red-brick building on Changde Street to the new hospital complex on Zhongshan South Road, and with the addition of the Cancer Center and Children's Hospital, NTU has built an “invisible national defense shield” through its integrated healthcare system.
Asked why NTU Hospital remains the leader in Taiwan’s medical sector, Wu explained that the hospital positions itself as a world-class university hospital. It aims to engage other hospitals and pharmaceutical companies to form a national team capable of competing on the global stage and expanding the influence of Taiwanese medicine worldwide. In the face of the AI revolution, NTU is actively advancing three strategic areas of medical innovation: precision health, smart healthcare, and advanced medicine, continuing to drive collaborative initiatives across academia, industry, and government.
Resource: 台大醫院院長吳明賢 將接台大醫學院院長
