On May 14, our hospital signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of the Philippines Manila, marking the beginning of a deeper collaboration in medical care, research, and medical education. This partnership aims to enhance cross-national cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines.

At the signing ceremony, Hospital Superintendent Dr. Wei-Ming Chen emphasized the vast potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical field. This collaboration aligns with Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy and positions the Philippines as a regional hub for AI development and application. Together, the two institutions will build platforms for Federated Learning (FL) and Federated Validation (FV), aiming to connect multiple ASEAN countries. This regional network is expected to accelerate clinical AI innovation and foster a new model of transnational healthcare, ultimately improving patient outcomes and well-being across countries.

Since January 2024, under the support of Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council and the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology through the “Health, Agriculture, and Training (HAT)” initiative, both institutions have jointly launched a three-year research project titled "AI Applications for Brain Tumor Diagnosis Using Federated Learning". The project has already achieved notable milestones.

In November 2024, the AI-powered brain tumor detection software DeepMets®, co-developed by our hospital and the Taiwan AI Lab, received certification from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is now recognized as an approved Software as a Medical Device (SaMD, CDMR) for clinical use in the Philippines—an important milestone in Taiwan-Philippines medical AI cooperation.

The project is led on Taiwan's side by Dr. Hsiu-Mei Wu, a senior physician in our Department of Radiology. She led a team visit to the Philippines in 2024 and is working closely with the Philippine lead, Professor Michael Tee, Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Manila. During the event, Professor Tee also gave a keynote speech titled “Empowering Healthcare Through AI,” highlighting the importance and promising future of Taiwan-Philippines collaboration in medical AI.

Dr. Wu noted that the Radiology Department at our hospital has a long-standing dedication to medical imaging innovation, backed by strong clinical and academic expertise. This collaboration combines Taiwan’s technological strengths with practical clinical needs, helping AI-assisted medical software gain traction in the Philippines and expanding its real-world benefits.

To further strengthen the partnership, Professor Michael Tee visited Taiwan with a delegation, where they not only signed official MoUs with our hospital and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, but also co-hosted an academic symposium. The event facilitated in-depth discussions and strategic planning for future collaboration in clinical practice, scientific research, and medical education.

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