While many countries are countering the pandemic of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on all fronts, Taiwan’s effective prevention measures have been highly recognized internationally. Through the longstanding partnership between the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and Russia, the first "2020 Taiwan-Russia COVID-19 Experience Sharing Webinar" was held on April 23. Around 40 experts and scholars on infectious diseases from both countries shared their experiences, treatment and prevention of nosocomial infections.

Russia's virus outbreak is severe. To date, there were 47,121 confirmed cases, of which 26,350 were in Moscow, accounting for 55.9% of the total cases in the entire country. In line with the Russian epidemic prevention policy, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University recently set up the so-called mobile cabin hospital featuring 2000 medical beds. In Taiwan, the Tri-service General Hospital (TSGH) is also leading the nation’s medical effort on COVID-19 treatment and prevention. Elevating the joint effort between Taiwan and Russia, an official MoU was signed in June, 2019 between the two institutions given that they both have extensive experiences in implementing MOST’s bilateral research projects.

Through the arrangement of Prof. Isaac Song-Jeng Huang, the director of Science and Technology Division of Taipei Representative Office in Moscow, Tri-service General Hospital and I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University co-hosted the jointed in order to create a platform for the comprehensive dialogue on epidemic prevention and medical treatment. Deputy Minister Dar-Bin Shieh of MOST, Representative Chung-Yung Keng of Taipei Representative office in Moscow for the Taipei-Moscow Economic and Cultural Coordination Commission, Superintendent Chien-Sung TSAI of Tri-Service General Hospital, and Rector Prof. V. Glybochko of I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University made opening speeches.

In his opening speech, Deputy Minister Dar-Bin Shieh of MOST said that Taiwan’s scientific and technological epidemic prevention has achieved several outstanding performances, including infection control, fast screening reagents, vaccine development, virus strain analysis and antiviral drug development. Such effort is to lead our citizens and society overcoming the present challenges together.

To maximize the impact of the conversation between Taiwan and Russia, this seminar also invited the participation of Taiwan-Russia research projects from other organizations. During the discussion, medical professionals and experts of both sides tackled on various topics related to COVID-19, including emergency screening, isolation and treatment strategies, and hospital beds management. Tri-service General Hospital also shared with participants the real-time polymerase chain reaction technology by accurately identify severe acute respiratory symptoms. With another successful virtual meeting, this webinar seeks to combine the experience and expertise of both parties to fight against the current pandemic together.

Media Contact:
Director, Song-Jeng, Isaac, HUANG
Science and Technology Division of Taipei Representative Office in Moscow
Tel: 7-495-9563786
E-mail: sjhuang@nstc.gov.tw

Program Director, Hsiao-Chen, Natalie, KIN
Department of International Cooperation and Science Education
Ministry of Science and Technology
Tel: +886-2-2737-7047
E-mail: jsjen@nstc.gov.tw