Written by: Jodie Lee
In the beginning of lecture on Sept. 11, CEO of Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Dr. Lin Chin-Lon addressed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of UN for 15 years plan (2015-2030). To summarize SDGs, there are three essential ambitious goals we face. The first is to end extreme poverty which can be connected to Tzu Chi charity mission. Secondly is fighting inequality & injustice, such as sex equality. The last is to fix climate change and is also the most important thing needed to be settled down urgently.
As there are many new members in this year’s convention, Dr. Lin increased two topics to this lecture, briefs introduction of Tzu Chi Medical Foundation and TIMA. Finally, CEO Lin explained the main topic, Long Term Care in Hualien.
Tzu Chi Medical Foundation is originated from Dharma Master Cheng Yen, during her charity visits, she realized that many families became poor after member of the family suffered major illness. Therefore, she started the Tzu Chi Free Clinic for the Poor in 1972, which began Tzu Chi’s mission of medicine. By 2019, there are seven hospitals opened in Taiwan in various part of Taiwan. They are East: Hualien (1986), Yuli (1999), Kuanshan (2000). West: Dailin (2000), Taipei (2005), Taichung (2007), Douliou (2019).
TIMA is an organized global service network of over 8,000 licensed doctors and nurses from 23 countries/nations who serve as volunteers. Mentioning TIMA’s annual convention, this activity started 23 years ago from Philippine Dr. Lu Hsiao Chuan who leads the TIMA members to Hualien and they celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with the Master.
“As TIMA members, we believe that the most beautiful thing in the world is the smile of a patient,” Dr. Lin also presented some photos which show TIMA members giving free clinic in Southeast Asia and Middle East. For example, Tzu Chi opened free medical clinic in Turkey, giving the doctors from Syria, who are refugees, the opportunity to bring their medical skills into good use.
After that, Dr. Lin introduced how Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital apply new information communication technology in the Long term care. The reason is originated from one patient who got tired of living in palliative care unit and wants to go back home. However, his/her family is not familiar with medical care skills. Therefore, Tzu Chi apply wireless transmission care machines and cloud storage platform for collecting patients’ medical data measured at home. In addition, patients’ family could use online service to communicate with hospital nurses if they have questions.
In the future, Tzu Chi hospitals aim to developing long term care system in association with the resources of the Industry, Official, University and Volunteers. To sum up, Tzu Chi medical mission’s long-term care system will make good use of information communication technology to provide fine quality care to patients and local communities.
