Marking the 160th Anniversary of Sin-Lau Hospital and Celebrating Scotland-Taiwan Health Ties

That the Parliament notes the upcoming 160th anniversary in 2025 of the founding of Sin-Lau Hospital in Tainan City, which was established in 1865, as Taiwan’s first western-style medical facility, by Scottish missionary and physician Dr James Laidlaw Maxwell; understands that Dr Maxwell’s work laid the foundations for modern medical care in the region, with Sin-Lau Hospital continuing to serve patients to this day as one of Taiwan’s oldest healthcare institutions; believes that this milestone is a testament to Scotland’s historic contribution to global health and the enduring legacy of Scottish medical professionals abroad; notes that current collaboration between Scotland and Taiwan continues to build upon this legacy; highlights the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s joint funding initiatives with Taiwan’s Ministry of Science and Technology, supporting bilateral research projects in areas such as medical imaging and neuroscience, with grants of up to £6,000 per year to facilitate researcher exchanges and collaborative studies; acknowledges the participation of Scottish universities, including the University of Glasgow, in these partnerships, which foster advancements in medical research and innovation; recognises what it sees as Taiwan’s commitment to global health, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its ongoing efforts to contribute to international health security and universal health coverage, and encourages continued collaboration between Scotland and Taiwan in medical research, healthcare innovation and public health exchanges, building, it believes, on shared values and a mutual commitment to improving health outcomes worldwide.