As Taiwan officially enters a “super-aged society,” elderly care is no longer just an extension of healthcare services but a structural challenge that society as a whole must face. Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital recently hosted the 2025 International Conference on Sustainable Elderly Care, co-organized with Min-Hwei College of Health Care Management and the Taiwan Society for Geriatric Oral and Food Health Management. The conference gathered experts from Japan’s Sakura Cross Group, Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Administration, city council members, leading long-term care institutions, and major healthcare systems to engage in cross-disciplinary dialogue and envision a roadmap for sustainable health.

KMU Board Chairman Chen Chien-Chih highlighted that building a care system that is high-quality, accessible, and equitable has become a critical shared mission for healthcare, academia, and policymakers. He noted that the Kaohsiung Medical University system has long been dedicated to long-term care research and innovation, integrating medical services, rehabilitation, community networks, and preventive care to create a comprehensive support system for healthy aging.

KMU President Yu Ming-Lung commended Siaogang Hospital for its excellence in swallowing and chewing care, noting its SNQ Silver Award achievement and its role in helping Vietnam’s 175 Military Hospital establish Southeast Asia’s first Swallowing Disorders Center. He emphasized that Siaogang Hospital demonstrates both international vision and social impact, positioning itself as a driving force in advancing sustainable health in Taiwan.

Siaogang Hospital Superintendent Dr. Hung Chih-Hsing stated that hospitals should not be “the endpoint of treatment,” but rather “partners in care.” He stressed the hospital’s commitment to building regional care networks, working closely with long-term care institutions, community clinics, and home care teams to ensure seamless, continuous care for patients transitioning from hospital back to community or home.

This conference showcased southern Taiwan’s strength and innovation in elderly care, while once again placing Siaogang Hospital on the international stage—demonstrating to the world both the warmth and the depth of Taiwan’s elderly healthcare.