全球化時代的來臨，使世界各國依存度日益加深，且隨著SARS及南亞海嘯等跨國災情之爆發，「醫療衛生無國界，防疫救災不可有缺口」之理念與原則已廣為世人所接受，而積極參與國際醫療體系及其相關運作亦為國人殷切期盼。

臺灣為善盡地球村一分子之責任，即使遭受阻擾與杯葛，仍毫不退縮積極參與國際醫療衛生合作與緊急人道醫療援助工作。除持續派出醫療團隊赴世界各地工作外，各項緊急救援工作更從未缺席，均普獲各國高度肯定與迴響。我國各公、私部門近年所提供之各項衛生醫療及緊急人道援助案不勝枚舉，總計近十年來，總值已逾4億5千萬美元，尚不包括如義診等無法以確切金額表達者。

鑒於國內醫療衛生援外資源仍有待進一步整合，在國內外各界建議下，乃於2004年以任務編組方式籌設跨部會之「臺灣國際醫療營運中心(TIHOC)」，嗣後為更有效與國際援助機構接軌，經改組、擴大並重整後改稱「臺灣國際醫衛行動團隊」(Taiwan International Health Action，簡稱TaiwanIHA)，以統籌國際醫療衛生合作與緊急人道醫療援助工作。

Globalization is increasing interdependence between countries. With the outbreak of SARS and the tsunami in South Asia, the idea and principle that medical health transcends national boundaries and no gaps can be allowed in international disease prevention has become widely accepted around the world. The people of Taiwan wish to actively participate in international medical systems and their operations.

To be a useful member of the global community, Taiwan actively cooperates on issues of international health and unfailingly provides emergency humanitarian medical aid despite obstruction and boycotts by some nations. We send medical teams across the world and have never been absent from any large-scale international emergency, winning recognition and acclaim from the international community. Combined public and private sector contributions to medical and health emergency aid projects over the past decade stand at over US$450 million. This sum does not include volunteer medical care and other services that are of incalculable value.

In view of the need to further integrate the manpower and equipment available for international health assistance, the Taiwan International Health Operations Center (TIHOC)Xa unified task force covering various government departments and agenciesXwas established in 2004. TIHOC was later reorganized as Taiwan International Health Action (TaiwanIHA) to be more streamlined yet more extensive and more effective in coordinating with other international humanitarian aid institutions on medical and health cooperation and emergency medical assistance.

自其前身「臺灣國際醫療營運中心」籌設迄今，在相關單位努力下，若干具體作為已獲成效。舉其犖犖大者，2004年底南亞海嘯災情發生之後，我國政府及民間捐助賑災總額近2億美元；另因應災後復原與重建工作，曾與國際知名非政府組織(NGO)合作，擇派臺灣婦產科專業醫事人員(Taiwanese gynecologists)赴馬爾地夫協助、贊助舉辦「外科醫療照護研討會」(Conference on Surgical Care and Practice)暨「海嘯災害對公共衛生影響之專家評估與會議」(Expert Review and Meetings on Public Health Impact of Tsunami Disaster)等活動。另舉辦高階護理訓練計畫、亞太衛生論壇及全球衛生領袖論壇等。此外，2005年10月間，巴基斯坦與印度邊界發生強震，我政府及民間團體亦基於人道考量，迅速協助醫療及救援團體前往賑災。

「臺灣國際醫衛行動團隊」於2006年2月間開始運作，並已陸續辦理各項活動，例如，2月18日菲律賓土石流災變發生，於第一時間提供緊急人道醫療援助，另參與4月初「杜拜國際人道救援與發展大會暨展覽會」，以及協助臺灣醫院協會於4月舉辦「2006年國際醫院聯盟泛亞太區域會議」等活動。

Since TaiwanIHA and its predecessors inception, joint efforts with related agencies have had several concrete achievements:

• Donated nearly US$200 million of government and private sector funds to people in stricken areas after the 2004 South Asian tsunami disaster
• Cooperated with internationally renowned NGOs on post-disaster recovery and reconstruction by sending gynecologists from Taiwan to the Maldives to assist with local medical needs<
• Sponsored and conducted such gatherings as the Conference on Surgical Care and Practice and the Expert Review and Meetings on Public Health Impact of Tsunami Disaster
• Conducted high-level medical care training programs, and held the Asia Pacific Health Forum and Global Health Leaders Forum, etc.
• Sent humanitarian aid from both the public and private sector to disaster areas in Pakistan and India after the 2005 earthquake

Although TaiwanIHA only formally started to operate in February 2006, it has already been involved with early response emergency medical aid in the Philippines after the mudslide disaster of February 18. In the beginning of April, a TaiwanIHA delegation is set to participate in the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition. Later that month, TaiwanIHA will assist the Taiwan Hospital Association in hosting the 2006 International Hospital Federation Asian Pacific Regional Conference.