Outstanding Contribution for RD Prevention

TFRD received Outstanding Contribution for Rare Diseases Prevention Award

Established in 1999, Taiwan Foundation for Rare Disorders (TFRD) has marked its 20th anniversary for striving together and building up a solid base to better safeguard rare disease patients and their families. TFRD hopes patient families can all face the challenges of life and step forward fearlessly.

In order to encourage long-term contribution to rare disorder prevention and control, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) set up award rules and subsidy programs to award such efforts by institutions and civil groups. MOHW awarded Outstanding Contribution for Rare Diseases Prevention to TFRD, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and MacKay Memorial Hospital on October 21, on the occasion of 2019 Global Health Forum in Taiwan.

For TFRD, in addition to celebrating its 20th anniversary, receiving Outstanding Contribution for Rare Diseases Prevention Award in 2019 is like icing on the cake. TFRD has devoted itself for 20 years to advocate for rare disease prevention, care for patients’ families, provide medical consultation, reward clinical research, and actively participate in academic exchanges and policy initiatives. These efforts are made in hopes to enable rare disease patients to live a quality and dignified life in Taiwan.

TFRD’s achievements are highly valued and appreciated by the award screening committee members, to name just a few as follows: 1. TFRD actively participates in policy initiatives, assisting the legislation of Rare Disease Control and Orphan Drug Act with constant research and appeals for law amendments so as to protect patients’ medical rights; 2. TFRD provides comprehensive physical and psychological assistances that better suit patients and their families’ actual needs; 3. TFRD promotes rare disease prevention and treatment education in schools and private sectors, so as to enhance public understanding and eliminate social prejudices against rare diseases; 4. TFRD has participated in international rare disease organizations and subsidized professional research and academic exchanges, and these has let the world see Taiwan’s care for rare disease patients.

The treatment and care for rare diseases is a lifelong journey. Besides government’s welfare system, the private sectors’ fund and manpower infusions into social care system like patient family networking, patient groups or associations have all together staunchly supported rare disease patients to face the diseases with courage. TFRD is deeply honored to receive the award, and will keep devoting itself to accompanying rare disease families to overcome challenges of life and leap forward for a better future.

Translator: Annie