In 1996, Tzu Chi Hospital celebrated its tenth anniversary. This was a memorable event for the development of the Tzu Chi medical mission. Ten years is only a short space on a difficult path, but there have been visible achievements so far and concrete directions for the future.

In 1996, important events included the opening of a palliative care ward for terminally ill patients and the holding of international conferences on community care and bone marrow transplant. In addition, Tzu Chi started to build the new Talin Hospital in spite of many difficulties, while numerous campaigns were held to raise funds. All these show Tzu Chi's determination to develop humanized medical care and Master Cheng Yen's intention to bring out the compassion of all people through the developme of the Tzu Chi missions.

Another special feature of the development of Tzu Chi Hospital is that special clinics have been set up to offer specialized medical services. For instance, the Acute Pain Treatment Team offers instant, effective assessment of pain and provides a user-controlled painkiller pump to make patients comfortable and reduce complications. The Herpes Zoster Clinic helps patients to prevent or reduce pain caused by neuropathy. The Infertility Counseling Clinic helps couples with infertility problems to search for opportunities to bear children. Staff workers guide prospective parnets on a thoughtful tour of the delivery room and baby room. They explain the process of delivery and show proper methods of breast-feeding, so that new parents can be more relaxed in welcoming the arrival of their new babies. The Nutrition Treatment Team helps patients obtain adequate nutrition to aid recovery.

In January 1997, two special clinics * the Female Cancer Prevention Clinic and Hepatitis Prevention Clinic * were set up to enhance public health care.

New advances in medicine are made daily, but it is difficult to discern achievements in the operation and development of the medical system within a short period of time. However, looking back at the events at Tzu Chi Hospital in 1996, it is apparent that the direction of the Tzu Chi medical mission has remained unchanged.

Emergency Training in Hualien and Taitung

[April 14]

To improve public common sense and skills in handling emergencies, Tzu Chi Hospital together with the Hualien County Health Bureau held a series of 14 training sessions, entitled "Joyful Heart, Blissful Karma," around the east coast of Taiwan from April 14 to July 14. Medical professionals from Tzu Chi Hospital taught cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other first-aid skills.

Since the rate of emergencies in the Hualien and Taitung area is quite high, CPR was considered very useful for adults. Medical professionals from Tzu Chi Hospital also designed games in which children could learn first-aid skills for handling bee stings, burns, and drowning cases, as well as use of bandages and slings.

During the three-month campaign, 1,012 adults obtained certificates for the emergency training, and 729 children attended the children's first-aid training. Dr. Wang Yin-wei, head of the department of family medicine, observed that because Tzu Chi Hospital promoted large-scale, concentrated emergency treatment training with adequate manpower and equipment in small towns and villages, the outcome was excellent.

Opening of Dialysis Room

[May 1]

The opening of the peritoneal dialysis room offers an alternative not only for patients with chronic uremia, but also for patients with hypotension, angina, stroke, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, patients can rent machines and use them at home, thus greatly saving time and money on commuting to the hospital.

"Each time I come to Tzu Chi Hospital, I always find some new development in medical care," said Huang Tze-kai, chief of the Hualien Health Bureau, at the opening ceremony. "The hospital's devotion to medical development is a blessing for people here in Hualien and Taitung." He affirmed that Tzu Chi Hospital's policy of purchasing new equipment regardless of cost had raised the level of medical service in Eastern Taiwan.

My Spine Has Been Straightened!

[July 12]

Twenty ankylosing spondylitis patients who had received surgical treatment at Tzu Chi Hospital attended the first follow-up gathering. After surgery, the patients' bend angle, health and human relationships changed dramatically compared with their condition before surgery. Several patients congratulated each other on their new lives and exchanged their experiences in keeping their bodies fit. They also encouraged those who were still hesitant to receive surgical correction as soon as possible.

By January 1997, Dr. Chen Yin-ho, an attending surgeon in orthopedics, had operated on 62 patients, which far exceeded the other 15 cases in world literature. One correction angle of 160 degrees was also unprecedented.

The Opening of the Heart Lotus Ward

[August 9]

The first palliative care ward in Eastern Taiwan * the Heart Lotus Ward in Tzu Chi Hospital * was opened. The ward was designed with living room, dining room, roof garden, etc., to make patients feel at home.

The ward started to take in patients on July 22. Prospective clients are terminally ill patients who can live no longer than six months, based on their doctors' evaluation. In the initial stage of the ward, nine beds are provided, with the department of family medicine in charge.

Home care is also offered by the Home Care Team for Terminally Ill Patients. More patients can fulfill their wish to live at home, knowing that they and their families will get proper care from doctors, nurses and other professionals after they leave the hospital.

International Conference on Community Care

[August 8 - 11]

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of Tzu Chi Hospital, the four-day International Conference on Community Care was held in the International Conference Room of the Still Thoughts Hall. Those attending included foreign and native scholars and medical professionals. Issues discussed included care for patients with terminal illnesses or spinal injuries, and post-discharge care.

In general, medical services have now been diversified, and hospitals offer integrated care which combines medical treatment, rehabilitation, social welfare and home care. Tzu Chi Hospital held this conference to facilitate an exchange of experiences in community care in different countries, and to adopt successful examples to develop a suitable local model of community care.

Tenth Anniversary of Tzu Chi Hospital

[August 17]

At the tenth anniversary ceremony of Tzu Chi Hospital, Master Cheng Yen told of her expectations for the Tzu Chi medical mission. "I hope that we may give love in every corner of the world where there is a lack of medical care. We not only treat people's illnesses, but we also care for their minds. This is the great vow of all Tzu Chi people. Human suffering is not limited to physical pain * there is even more spiritual affliction."

Dr. Chang Po-ya, head of the Department of Health, said in her speech at the ceremony that during the past ten years, people both in Taiwan and abroad have been impressed by Tzu Chi's performance, not only in offering medical care and relief, but also in advancing culture and public education. In particular, the establishment of the bone marrow donor registry has benefited not only local people, but also people all over the world. Dr. Chang came not only to celebrate, but also to show her gratitude.

Tzu Chi Talin Hospital

[October 13]

Another miracle of the love of Tzu Chi! The groundbreaking ceremony for the Tzu Chi Talin Hospital was celebrated by more than ten thousand guests. This is the second hospital built by Tzu Chi, after the one in Hualien. It will offer medical services to the public in the Yunlin and Chiayi areas in south-central Taiwan.

The new hospital, which is expected to be completed in 1999, aims to provide 1000 beds in 21 departments. It is estimated that construction will cost NT$4 billion [US$145 million]. The establishment of the Talin Hospital opens a new era in Tzu Chi's efforts to promote humanitarian medical care.

New Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery Sets New Record

[October 17]

The department of cardiovascular surgery of Tzu Chi Hospital successfully performed a new type of coronary artery bypass surgery, the first in Eastern Taiwan, on a patient whose anterior descending artery in the heart was completely blocked and for whom no other procedures could work. In this case, extra-corporeal circulation was not used, and the surgery was carried out with the heart beating normally. The 70-year-old patient did not suffer from "heartache" anymore.

This new type of surgery is rare in Taiwan. Since normal physical conditions are maintained, the side effects * including stroke, heart failure and need for massive blood transfusion * arising from the use of a heart-lung machine for extra-corporeal circulation in traditional surgery are prevented. The patient recovers quickly and can be discharged within a short period of time.

Introduction of the Newest Linear Accelerator

[December 31]