The Department of Health Deputy Minister Hsiao Mei-ling and the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control Director-General Chang Feng-Yee together with 49 prizewinning units attended the 2011 Epidemic Prevention Award Ceremony held in the NTUH International Convention Center on September 9, 2011. The theme for 2011 is “thank you for taking a healthy lead”. The purpose of this year’s ceremony is to thank the prizewinning units for their efforts in making people in the nation live a healthier life.
Deputy Minister Hsiao said if we want a healthy environment to live in, we not only need the resources and efforts from the government, but also the resources and efforts from the private sectors to participate in the work of epidemic prevention in order to make our society disease-free.
Lee Hau-lai, the Deputy Director of the Society of Preventive Medicine in Taiwan, one of the prizewinning units, shared his real-life experience of how he quit being a drug addict and became a social worker dealing with HIV/AIDS prevention. He said it was a tough process to overcome all the difficulties and achieve self-growth and added he is very happy to be helping people in need now.
An officer at the Health Bureau of Chang-hua County, Wu Cong-xian, was a surgeon 15 years ago before devoting himself to the work of epidemic prevention. He has previously participated in the fight against SARS and the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. He said, at times during work he faces the dilemma of making choices between human sympathy and legal action. He is, however, committed to doing everything that is good for public health. Recognizing his efforts and dedication, his colleagues even named him the “Iron Man in Public Health”.
At the ceremony, Mr. Hong Wan-shi who has worked in epidemic prevention for more than 30 years also shared his valuable knowledge and experience in preventing dengue fever.
A doctor at NTUH, Chen Mao-yuan, who has played an important role in the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Advisory Committee for a long time, was the first medical doctor having outpatient services for AIDS at the Taipei Venereal Diseases Dispensary. He has voluntarily tried the antiretroviral drugs himself in order to understand their side effects. Additionally, he tried to identify the drug-resistant HIV genes, which is a significant effort in preventing AIDS. His sincere and dedicated attitude towards the patients touched everyone’s heart and mind.
In order to praise the people who have outstanding achievements in research, planning and action for epidemic prevention, Taiwan CDC holds the Epidemic Prevention Award Ceremony every year. This event aims to encourage more people to participate in the work of epidemic prevention.