The National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) established the Center for Integration of Supportive, Palliative, and Innovative Research and Education, the first of its kind in Asia Pacific. NTUH says that the center, officially opened on July 20, will advance innovation in hospice and palliative care delivery models, the application of smart technology and artificial intelligence, the development of home-based medical care, cross-disciplinary talent cultivation, and international academic cooperation.

Taiwan became a super-aged society, one in which people aged 65 and older account for more than 20 percent of the population, in 2025. The prevalence of chronic diseases, and rapidly growing demand for end-of-life care created the need for the healthcare system to provide medical care aligned with the patients’ values and preferences during the final stages of life.

NTUH said that its hospice and palliative care team has more than 30 years of experience and is the national leader in clinical care, talent cultivation, policy advocacy, and research. It also has long-standing and close international cooperation networks with the United States and many Asian countries.

NTUH Superintendent Yu Chong-jen (余忠仁) said that hospice and palliative care not only focus on symptom management, but also emphasize early intervention, promoting patients’ psychological adjustment and family participation. This helps patients receive more comprehensive support and companionship throughout the course of their illness.