2023-11-01

On the morning of November 1^st, 2023 (Wednesday), Governor Arnold I. Palacios, accompanied by a delegation of eight officials from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), visited Taiwan Adventist Hospital (TAH) to delve into the present status and future possibilities of medical referral collaboration between TAH and the CNMI. This visit underscored professionalism and a resolute commitment of mutual cooperation.

Invited by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Guam, and with approval from the U.S. State Department, Governor Palacios and an eight-member delegation from CNMI visited Taiwan for a six days starting on October 30^th, 2023 (Monday).

The delegation featured Vice Speaker of the CNMI Senate Manalola, Speaker of the CNMI House of Representatives Villagomez, House of Representatives Members Kamaqu, Sablan. Also, Mr. Bamba, the Economic Advisor to the CNMI Governor and Chairman of the Guam International Airport Authority Board, was part of the group. Furthermore, Mr. Conception, the Director of the CNMI Visitors Bureau, accompanied the delegation. They receive support throughout their visit from Director General Paul Yin-Lien Chen from the TECO in Guam.

Taiwan Adventist Hospital signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for medical referral cooperation with the Medical Referral Services, which was under the CNMI Governor’s Office, in February 2017. In January 2023, the CNMI House of Representatives passed legislation to transfer the management and operation of the Medical Referral Services to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation (CHCC) to establish a healthcare network program under CHCC. In June of this year, our hospital renewed the MOU with CHCC.

During Governor Palacios’ visit to Taiwan, in addition to meetings with several of Taiwan’s senior government officials and discussions with representatives from various key industries, establishing a partnership in medical services was one of the many priority topics.

Furthermore, due to the lack of direct flights between the CNMI and Taiwan, they engaged in discussions with China Airlines, one of Taiwan’s major carriers, to explore the possibility of a flight route from Taiwan to Saipan, thereby strengthening bilateral relations. With the assistance and support of TECO in Guam, they hope to expedite a solution for CNMI residents seeking medical care in Taiwan.

Newspaper Reprint: Taken from the Marianas Variety electronic newsletter dated October 31, 2023
https://www.mvariety.com/news/local/governor-other-nmi-officials-visit-taiwan/article_9482db66-76f4-11ee-8d49-17bd057486af.html