As the global focus of healthcare and research increasingly shifts toward Oriental medicine, traditional systems such as Chinese, Korean, and Japanese medicine are becoming pivotal in safeguarding human health and safety. To meet the growing demand for Oriental medicine worldwide, it is essential to enhance and innovate in this field. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by regularly holding international conferences on Oriental medicine. Through in-depth research and discussion, we not only promote global well-being but also discover solutions to complex medical challenges.
Every industry evolves in response to societal needs, and the healthcare sector is no exception. The success of Oriental medicine depends on how much people trust and rely on it. Therefore, our mission is to unite all members to highlight the strengths of Oriental medicine. Thanks to the leadership and perseverance of past presidents, the International Society of Oriental Medicine (ISOM) has achieved remarkable progress. Under the presidency of Academician Lin Zhao-Geng in the 18th ISOM, Oriental medicine played a key role in treating critical and complex conditions. In the 20th ISOM, Professor Choi Sung-Hoon of Korea demonstrated the efficacy of Oriental medicine in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, proving that it is indispensable in tackling modern global health crises.
Oriental medicine introduced concepts such as "preventive medicine" and "precision medicine" thousands of years ago. Even in cases of terminal illness, it does not abandon any opportunity to save lives, promoting the philosophy of “prolonging life despite illness.” Through precise acupuncture, herbal treatments, and dietary adjustments, Oriental medicine helps cancer patients extend their lifespan with preserved quality of life, fulfilling personal goals. This strength, often seen as a limitation of Western medicine, is where Oriental medicine excels, offering what many consider a vital lifeline.
As we face an aging population, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, mutated viruses, and new forms of diseases, Oriental medicine—rooted in ancient theories and methods—aligns perfectly with contemporary health needs. ISOM aims to leverage the collective wisdom of its members to demonstrate the value of Oriental medicine in every battle against disease. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its high transmission and fatality rates, challenged modern medicine. Fortunately, traditional Oriental treatments, such as Taiwan's Qingguan decoction, emerged in time to alleviate symptoms and curb the spread of the virus. These efforts bought valuable time for the development of vaccines and antiviral therapies, garnering international recognition and creating new opportunities for the global expansion of Oriental medicine. This direction will remain a priority for ISOM in the future.
As the era of global health dawns, and life expectancy continues to rise, healthcare has become a new frontier, following the digital industry boom. Oriental medicine, with its rich cultural heritage, stands as a powerful force in this emerging economy, offering vast untapped potential. ISOM must reassess the impact of the pandemic on the world, from public health issues to the rise of AI-driven solutions, and chart new paths forward. We hope that all participants enjoy this enriching academic experience in Oriental medicine.
Wishing you and your families health, happiness, and success!
Wang-Chuan Chen
President of the 21st International Conference of the Oriental Medical Society (ISOM)
當世界醫療重心與研究方向逐漸傾向東洋醫學的今日，無論是漢醫藥、韓醫藥抑或是中醫藥，都將在全球未來的日子裡，扮演捍衛人類健康與生命安全的關鍵角色，因此，我們必須更加強推動東洋醫學的精進與革新，以因應地球村人民對東洋醫學的殷切企盼，而最能達成此目標的方式之一，就是定期舉辦國際級的東洋醫學學術大會，透過對東洋醫學的研析與討論，不僅可以增進全體人類的健康福祉，尚能為諸多疑難雜症尋得解決之道。
每個產業的開創與發展，都是因應民眾及社會的整體需求而生，因此，醫療產業能否受到重視，絕對與民眾的依賴程度攸關，東洋醫學(傳統醫學)亦是如此，職是之故，要讓東洋醫學越來越興盛，我們的核心任務之一，就是集合全體會員的力量，將東洋醫學的優勢凸顯出來，幸好國際東洋醫學會在歷任會長的堅毅精神努力發揮之下，已顯有卓績，而在第18屆台灣林院士昭庚擔任會長時在急、重、難症之前瞻性治療，東洋醫學扮演了顯著角色，更在第20 屆韓國崔昇勳教授的構思下對COVID-19的預防治療更證明了東洋醫學的顯效。由此可知解決新世紀人類生存危機必須靠東洋醫學。
以東洋醫學(傳統醫學)來說，早在數千年前便已提出「預防醫學」、「精準醫療」等先進的思維架構，即便對抗不治之症，東洋醫學都不會放棄任何可以挽救生命的寶貴機會，故而有那「帶病延年」的精妙理論，透過巧妙的針灸用藥，以及飲食調理，讓癌症病友在兼顧生活品質的前提下，延長壽命，完成心願，這或許是西方醫學的最大瓶頸，卻是我們東洋醫學的優勢強項，也是民眾最為需要的救命良藥，值得我們竭力推廣。
隨著高齡化社會的快速進展、超級細菌、變種病毒、新型態文明疾病等紛沓而至，東洋醫學因是具有悠久歷史、獨特理論及技術方法的醫藥學體系，符合當前人類的需求，因此，ISOM需要透過會員們的力量，群策群力，在每場對抗疾病的戰役中，讓世人看見東洋醫學的價值。過去幾年的新冠疫情危機，全球人類承受著生存恐慌，而其初期的高傳播率與致死率，曾令現代醫學束手無策，幸而包括台灣清冠中藥處方等東洋醫藥(傳統醫學)及時問世，有效減少疫情的蔓延及感染期間的不適苦楚，也為後續疫苗與其他西方抗病毒藥物的研製，爭取諸多黃金時間，這些成績已獲全球肯定，為東洋醫藥產業的國際化，提供絕佳的發展契機，是值得ISOM未來側重的方向。
大健康時代已經來臨，隨著人均壽命的持續提升，健康產業已成為繼數位產業後的全球熱點，而擁有深厚底蘊的東方醫學文化，著實成為這股新興經濟命脈的重要力量，更為此產業提供了廣大的藍海市場，ISOM未來的目標擬定，必須檢視新冠疫情所賦予世界截然不同的面貌，比如各項公共衛生的議題，以及因應疫情所生的AI技術等等。企盼所有到場的嘉賓朋友們，皆能獲得豐厚的東洋學術饗宴。
敬祝所有來賓 闔家安康、順心如意！
國際東洋醫學會第21屆總會長 陳旺全