Taiwan’s two major professional healthcare associations—the Taiwan Medical Association and the Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists—recently held board elections, with particular attention on the chairperson races. The Taiwan Medical Association has now elected its new chairman: Vice Chairman and Tainan City Medical Association Chairman Chen Xiangguo. Meanwhile, in the Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists, Secretary-General Lin Yi-Jun is currently the leading candidate to succeed Chairman Huang Jin-Shun, who has expressed strong support for her nomination.
The Taiwan Medical Association primarily represents licensed Western medicine physicians. As of the end of last year, its membership exceeded 50,000. Its annual “Physicians’ Day Celebration” has traditionally been attended by both former President Tsai Ing-wen and current President Lai Ching-te, reflecting the government’s strong attention to the medical profession. Former Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-Yuan also previously served as chairman of the association, playing a key role in supporting the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government’s policies and mitigating conflicts. Chiu subsequently filled the non-constituency legislative seat left vacant by Xu Guo-Yong, who had moved on to become Executive Yuan spokesperson.
The chairperson of the Taiwan Medical Association not only represents physicians’ voices but also wields significant influence over government healthcare policy, and is often considered a potential candidate for non-constituency legislative seats. Newly elected chairman Chen Xiangguo, who also served as Vice Chairman of the Taiwan Medical Association and Chairman of the Tainan City Medical Association, previously led the medical support coalition for President Lai’s campaign. As a fellow member of the so-called “Tainan faction,” Chen was even mentioned as a possible candidate for Minister of Health and Welfare before Lai assumed the presidency.
This year’s chairperson election was notably more competitive than previous cycles, as incumbent Chairman Zhou Qingming sought re-election. With Chen Xiangguo’s victory, President Lai’s influence in the healthcare sector is expected to strengthen further.
In the Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists, Secretary-General Lin Yi-Jun—who is also a sitting legislator from the Taiwan People’s Party—is anticipated to assume the chairperson role. Chairman Huang Jin-Shun noted that while the election has not yet taken place and the final vote remains uncertain, he expressed high confidence in Lin Yi-Jun as an excellent choice.
Resource: 醫師公會全聯會新任理事長陳相國當選 賴清德總統影響力再深化
