– Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital –
KMUH is the only medical institution in southern Taiwan to have twice received the Joint Commission of Taiwan’s Smart Hospital Certification. In July 2025, KMUH further achieved HIMSS EMRAM Stage 7 international certification, becoming the first medical center in southern Taiwan to do so. Building on theseaccomplishments in smart healthcare, KMUHhas extended its expertise to Africa,not only exporting systems but also empowering Somaliland to establish its own capacity in health information management.
In mid-June 2025, KMUHonce again dispatched a cross-disciplinary team to Somaliland to evaluate the application of the local Hospital Information System (HIS) in inpatient, outpatient, and laboratory units. The team also assessed the feasibility of introducing a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and cross-hospital medical record sharing—with the vision of creating a more integrated digital healthcare network for Somaliland.
SuperintendentDr. Jaw-Yuan Wang emphasized that as a medical center and university-affiliated hospital, KMUH carries the threefold mission ofeducation, research, and clinical service. Through years of collaboration with TaiwanICDF, the hospital has tailored solutions for Somaliland—from system development and implementation to talent cultivation. This year, the effort has expanded further, with providing on-site technical support to optimize Somaliland’s medical information system and deliver hands-on training. Today, the system has become one of key references for national healthcare decision-making in Somaliland. Guided by the principle “Where there is need, KMUH will be there,”and remain committed to promoting global health equity.
The latest delegation to Somaliland included Dr. Yu-Tang Chang, Director of KMUH’s International Medical Center; Nurse Yu-Chao Lin; Engineer Po-Hsun Yin; and Engineer Jung-Chieh Liu. The KMUH engineers provided intensive training in cross-hospital system integration, database application development, data center management, and troubleshooting—strengthening the local team’s ability to independently manage IT infrastructure. This journey spanning over8,000 kilometers, represented far more than technological assistance—it was a profound endeavor in medical diplomacy, embodying both innovation and humanistic care across cultures.
With the support ofKMUH and TaiwanICDF, five hospitals in Somaliland have already adopted the jointly developed HIS. Since the system was first launched in 2023 at Hargeisa General Hospital, it has steadily matured. Physicianscan now instantly access both outpatient and inpatient medical records, while the outpatient queuing system has streamlined patient flow, reducing confusion from manual call-outs and improving both efficiency and patient experience. TaiwanICDF has also assisted inestablish a local IT team responsible for system operation and maintenance, while KMUH continues to provide monthly online training sessions for system upgrades to ensure sustainable development.
From Kaohsiung to Africa, what is bridged is not only geographical distance but also the commitment to global health equity. By using smart healthcare as a bridge, KMU has deepened cross-continental collaboration 8,000 kilometers away, once again proving to the world:“Taiwan can help—Taiwan is helping.”
The KMUH team and TaiwanICDF delegation met with Dr. Ahmed Mahmoud Jama (third from left), CEO of Somaliland’s Ministry of Health Development, to present system usage updates and discuss upcoming challenges.
KMUH team members inspected the use of the hospital information system in local clinics. From right to left: Engineer Po-Hsun Yin, Director Yu-Tang Chang of KMUH International Medical Center, and Engineer Jung-Chieh Liu.
KMUH team members reviewing the outpatient queuing system installed in Somaliland.
The KMUH team visited Hargeisa General Hospital to assess the integration potential of the imaging system with the existing HIS.