Malaysia’s persistently high diabetes rate has put greater emphasis on finding innovative healthcare solutions that combine technology, research, and cross-sector collaboration. Against this backdrop, the “Go Healthy with Taiwan 2026” global call-for-proposals drew strong interest from healthcare professionals during the Diabetes Malaysia Conference 2026, held from June 12 to 14.
Led by Taiwan International Trade Administration (TITA) and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the entire event attracted more than 300 participants from the medical, public health, academic, and industrial sectors, where discussions revolved around how Taiwan’s healthcare technologies and collaborative innovation ecosystem could help address growing health challenges in markets such as Malaysia.
The urgency of the issue is reflected in Malaysia’s latest National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2023, which found that 15.6% of adults are living with diabetes – roughly 1 in every 6 adults. Equally concerning, about 40% of those affected remain unaware they have the condition, highlighting the need for stronger screening, prevention, and disease-management strategies.
Professor Dr. Muhammad Yazid Jalaludin, President of Diabetes Malaysia, welcomed the initiative’s emphasis on innovation-driven healthcare solutions. He noted that effective diabetes management requires translating medical knowledge into practical action, and that technology can play an important role in improving patient care and long-term disease control.
Interest in Taiwan’s healthcare capabilities was also evident among conference attendees. Government representative Dr. Nurul Shuhada said the campaign provided valuable exposure to Taiwan’s healthcare sector and offered fresh perspectives on how innovation could support community health development.
Industry participants highlighted Taiwan’s strengths in medical research, technological advancement, and commercialization. Vanessa Lim from the pharmaceutical sector described the initiative as more than a proposal competition, pointing to its role in connecting innovative ideas with industry resources and accelerating the development of health technology solutions.
Healthcare specialists also emphasized the broader regional implications. Paediatric endocrinologist Dr. Alexis Anand Dass A/L Lordudass noted that obesity, diabetes, and metabolic diseases continue to emerge as major public health concerns across the region. He believes that combining smart healthcare technologies, sports technology, and health-promotion initiatives can strengthen disease prevention efforts and improve public awareness.
Organisers said the growing interest in preventive healthcare, wellness programs, and smart healthcare applications in Malaysia aligns closely with the campaign’s goals. By linking international innovators with Taiwan’s healthcare technology ecosystem, the initiative aims to turn promising ideas into practical solutions that can improve health outcomes and quality of life.
On the other hand, submissions for the “Go Healthy with Taiwan 2026” global call-for-proposals remain open until August 5. The top three winning teams will each receive USD 30,000 and gain opportunities to collaborate with leading Taiwanese companies and technology platforms to further develop their healthcare innovations.
