National Cheng Kung University Hospital (NCKUH) officially commenced operations on June 12, 1988. As the largest university medical center and teaching hospital in southern Taiwan, NCKUH has shouldered the three core missions of teaching, research, and service since its establishment. The Hospital has been committed to its social responsibility in providing care for emergency, critical, complex, and rare diseases. Upholding the principles of clinical teaching and internships, medical research advancement, comprehensive healthcare services, regional medical support, and continuing education for medical professionals, NCKUH has shaped its institutional culture with core values of Life, Compassion, Excellence, and Innovation. The Hospital strives not only to be the most ideal medical care institution but also to fulfill the vision of being the most ideal environment for teaching, research, and professional practice. With a profound sense of responsibility, NCKUH positions itself as a pioneer—not in pursuit of personal achievements or maximum profit—but to enhance patient welfare, nurture future talents, accumulate medical knowledge, and set a benchmark for the healthcare industry.

To ensure sustainable development, NCKUH inaugurated the “Outpatient Building—Clinical Research and Cancer Center” on June 12, 2010. Built upon existing resources and facilities, the expansion includes an Outpatient Center, Cancer Center, Research Center, and a Center for Public Health and Environmental Medicine, meeting the growing space demands for outpatient services, cancer care, and medical research. The exterior design features an artistic sky bridge that connects to the Inpatient Building, establishing a new landmark for the NCKU Medical Campus and enriching the cityscape.

Beyond internal development, NCKUH has worked to enhance the overall healthcare quality in the Yunlin–Chiayi–Tainan region. In 2005, the Hospital took over the military Douliu Hospital and transformed it into the NCKUH Douliu Branch. Since 2008, it has continued deepening cooperation with Tainan Hospital of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (formerly Tainan Hospital of the Department of Health), offering operational and staffing support to improve performance and healthcare standards. In line with the Ministry’s two-way referral system and hierarchical medical policy, since 2017, NCKUH has successively established collaborative wards with Kuo General Hospital, Chest Hospital of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and JinSan Chronic Care Hospital. On October 2, 2019, the Hospital announced the formation of the Cheng-Hsing Medical Alliance, partnering with primary clinics to expand two-way referrals and implement tiered healthcare. With real-time medical information integration to track patient referral status, the community can enjoy professional and comprehensive healthcare services.

In response to the rapid development of artificial intelligence, NCKUH actively engages in cross-sector collaboration to integrate smart healthcare into clinical departments and establish a medical big data platform to improve research sampling efficiency and enhance overall competitiveness. Over the past three years, the Hospital has completed several major infrastructure projects: ERCP facilities, expansion of the cardiac catheterization lab, a multi-person hyperbaric oxygen chamber, a minimally invasive gynecology operating room, the Douliu Branch cardiac catheterization lab, a dual-hybrid one-stop diagnosis and treatment center, a Hybrid OR, CyberKnife Installation for the Radiation Oncology Program, upgraded CT scanners, and MRI installation. The Department of Genomic Medicine was the first to obtain TAF accreditation, marking the beginning of biomedical digitalization and laying a strong foundation for future precision medicine. NCKUH has also deepened international cooperation by signing multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), raising the Hospital’s visibility, expanding its influence, and offering more advanced learning and training opportunities for staff, thereby strengthening its position in cutting-edge medical technologies.

Thanks to significant administrative improvements, NCKUH has achieved solid operational results and financial stability. In pursuit of sustainable development, the Hospital is courageously expanding its horizons with the Geriatric Hospital and the Shalun Branch, providing more opportunities for future generations. The Geriatric Hospital will become an ideal setting for senior medical and long-term care, integrating geriatric medicine research and smart transformation to align with Long-Term Care 2.0 policies, fulfilling national responsibilities in elderly care and research development. The Shalun Branch will serve as a clinical validation site to promote the biomedical industry, support international medical cooperation and talent training aligned with the New Southbound Policy, and be established as a core institution of the national pediatric care network, dedicated to the development of care models and talent cultivation for pediatric emergency, critical, complex, and rare diseases.

As the global wave of net-zero carbon emissions and ESG sustainability intensifies, NCKUH actively supports Taiwan’s 2050 Net-Zero Emissions Policy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On December 4, 2024, the Hospital officially signed the Hospital Sustainable Development Initiative with the Taiwan Institute for Sustainable Energy (TAISE). The partnership encompasses hospital governance, smart healthcare transformation, workplace wellbeing, environmental sustainability, and enhanced social responsibility, reflecting NCKUH’s determination to strengthen resilience and align with international sustainability and net-zero goals.

In response to climate change, NCKUH remains committed to advancing green healthcare and fostering a sustainable environment. Based on the EU’s “twin Transformation” framework, the Hospital integrates ESG and digital transformation to enhance medical efficiency and services. Through digital innovation, it also strives to meet carbon reduction targets. While promoting net-zero transformation, the Hospital upholds a patient-centered philosophy and continues to deepen digital transformation. This effort has been widely recognized, as NCKUH was named one of the World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2025 by Newsweek, one of only eight hospitals in Taiwan to receive the honor.

We hope that NCKUH will continue to thrive in both intelligence and sustainability. Together, let us work toward a better future, upholding the values of respect for life, holistic care, and environmental friendliness, while pursuing excellence and innovation. We are committed to providing an inclusive, shared, and sustainable healthcare environment for all.

LI, Ching-Wei
Superintendent,
National Cheng Kung University Hospital