Photo: HiE/Behrends
Article • Medical Taiwan Health & Care Expo
Record attendance for medical solutions from Taiwan
As demand for innovative healthcare solutions is at an all-time high, Medical Taiwan once again attracted a record number of visitors for its 2024 edition. The show’s organizer, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), proudly reported an increase in attendance by 10% compared with the previous year. During the three-day event in Taipei, the audience was treated to a wide range of medical solutions from well-known companies and aspiring start-ups, insightful expert discussions and opportunities for establishing business relationships.
Report: Wolfgang Behrends
Image source: TAITRA
Speaking at the opening ceremony, TAITRA Chairman James C.F. Huang highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, emphasizing the technology’s potential to enable more precise, more personalized and more efficient diagnoses and treatments. He therefore praised the contributing exhibitors for focusing on innovative AI-enhanced products to advance the quality of healthcare.
Ching-Yi Lin, MD, PhD, from the Taiwanese Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), agreed on this position. She added that smart use of technology and digitization is considered the key to today’s major healthcare challenges, such as the aftereffects of the Covid-19 pandemic and an ageing society.
Taiwan’s Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao expressed confidence towards the vital Taiwanese industry to secure a leading role in the digital transformation of healthcare. Impressed with the latest achievements of the exhibiting manufacturers, she also pointed out the importance of medical personal data protection and the need to establish and harmonize regulatory frameworks.
Commitment to patient safety and sustainability
Keeping with the event’s comprehensive approach to healthcare, the 280 companies covered a wide range of products and services. A great number of visitors was drawn to the booth of BenQ. The company, which is mostly known for its consumer electronics outside of Taiwan, showcased an impressive portfolio of products designed for healthcare professionals and their patients. These ranged from wound care materials and medical sponges from Anscare, portable ultrasound systems from Qisda, and disinfectants from Golden Spirit, to BenQ’s dialysis solutions.
A highlight for those who wish to combine healthcare with a stylish attire, medical disposables company CSD presented their latest in face mask designs, with the latest skin-coloured (“purely nude”), denim, and Japan-themed collections serving as particular standouts. The manufacturer also took the opportunity to highlight their commitment to more sustainable production, showcasing their investments in green energy and FSC certifications.
Photo: HiE/Behrends
A glimpse at the future of surgery and ICU technology
Visitors were also able to take a glimpse at the future of surgery at the “Smart Medical Pavilion”, organized in partnership with the Taiwan Medical and Biotech Industry Association (TMBIA). Among the most impressive displays were setups for brain and spinal surgery, from manufacturers Eped and Point Robotics MedTech. These systems featured a robotic arm, combined with stereotactic navigation and AI enhancements. Through robotic assistance, movement precision is enhanced, and human-induced movement error is minimized, explained Eped Regional Manager Henry Lin, while the surgery navigation system uses stereoscopic camera technology with CT and MRI images to accurately track and guide instrument position during a procedure.
In addition to these high-tech devices, the pavilion also showcased solutions to mitigate staff shortage in clinicals settings. These included Wellell’s support surface, which uses air cells with alternating pressure to prevent injury from extended immobility and help care personnel repositioning their patients. Advances in patient monitoring were presented by Chang Gung Medical Technology (CGM) and Broadsims. With their focus on telemedicine and mobile monitoring solutions, the companies showed healthcare provided new ways to bring care to their patients.
Smart solutions for all ages
Wearable devices benefit from technology advances in miniaturisation, which was perfectly exemplified in the products of dBio. On display at Medical Taiwan were the manufacturer’s wearable stethoscope and foot pressure sensor insole, which use IoT and micro-sensing technology to analyse internal and external body information for personal health management and telemedicine applications.
Photo: HiE/Behrends
One of the main themes of the exhibition was “All-age Healthcare”, reflecting on the needs of an ageing society. The solutions from Turtle Gym were a perfect fit for this focus topic, presenting devices for muscle strength and fitness training catered towards senior users.
Another central theme of the event, called “Smart Medical”, was explored by many of the exhibiting companies. Notable examples include the automated medication dispensing cabinets from Advantech, which utilize RFID technology for wireless traceability; and sophisticated medical beds and mattresses from Joson-Care, with sensors and control features for patient positioning and monitoring.
The exposition’s highlighted manufacturer booths were completed by the medical disposables, equipment, and centralized medicinal gas piping systems for hospitals from Pacific Hospital Supply (Pahsco), giving visitors a wide range of products to fit their respective needs.
Increased representation of international markets
The organizer’s ambition to provide an international platform for health and care topics was evident, both in the expert presentations held at the show’s multiple stages, and in the expanded cooperations with other nations. For example, the joint booth of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association gave valuable insights into the products and services of the world’s second-largest medical device market, with solutions ranging from 3D printed medical resins to electrotherapy and rehabilitation devices.
Expert sessions also covered a wide range of topics, from the potential of AI and smart medical technologies showcased at the “M-Novator” forum for MedTech start-ups, to regulatory insights into Asian and European markets on the main stage, which attracted a large audience and sparked in-depth discussions among participants.
With yet another record-setting edition successfully completed, the organizers of Medical Taiwan expressed their thanks to all participating companies, experts and visitors, and look forward to the show’s return in 2025.
15.07.2024
