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The Development of Scientific Medicine and its Impact on Society in Taiwan, 1865 to 1945

7. But in my own view the most significant impact has been reflected in the post-Japanese era – the flowering of all that had been developed in the earlier years. The many difficulties of the earlier years had been countered by courage sacrifice and understanding and sheer hard work of very many people. The great expansion of medical services to meet the needs of a population which has increased from 6,000,000 in 1945 to the present 21,000,000; the increase in the number of hospitals; there are now 9 medical colleges compared with the original single one and many nursing schools and training institutions. Taiwan doctors have gone abroad to obtain experience and higher degrees and have returned to practice medicine, to teach, to do research. Some have remained abroad and have made notable contributions to science and medicine. Many Taiwan doctors are internationally known – too many to mention, but Dr. Chun-huei Yen became a member of a World Health Organization committee (WHO) committee; Professor Tsung-Yi Lin was Chief of Social and Cultural Research of the Mental Health Unit of WHO, also President of the World Federation of Mental Health.

The flowering of Taiwan medicine following the earlier years has really happened.

Floreat Formosa!

Postscript

At the end of the Japanese era (1945) there were the following health personnel in the island (from Dr. Chen Yung-Hsin's book on the history of medicine in Taiwan): -

Licensed Doctors 3426

Licensed Dentists 738

Chinese Herbal Doctors 97

Pharmacists 997



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