The National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) Southern Division Office and the Founding Jade Emperor Temple in Tainan held the "Healthy Taiwan, Walk with Energy" street parade on March 14 to celebrate the NHI's 31st Anniversary. President Ching-Te Lai also sent his best wishes. Over 2,000 people joined the lively walking event, visiting various historic sites with their families.
Deputy Director-General Chia-Jui Yen of the NHIA, President Ta-Sung Tu of the Jade Emperor Temple, Legislator Ting-Fei Chen, and President Hsiang-Kuo Chen of the Taiwan Medical Association inaugurated the street parade by striking a gong. The parade set off from the NHIA Southern Division Office, passing through 25 historic sites in Tainan City. Along the 3.6 km route, supply stations were set up outside of the Grand Matsu Temple, the National Museum of Modern Art, Tainan, and the Wu Family Garden Arts Center, offering local snacks such as signature biscuits, steamed silver thread rolls, and rice crackers with all the participants.
Various performances were arranged along the route, including a cosplay show by the NHIA staff, a creative drumming performance by Jian-Gong Elementary School, "Brilliant Youth Pop and Hot Dancing" by the Li-Ren Elementary School baseball team and pop dance club. Other highlights included a dance performance by Chang-Jung Senior High School, a "Non-Stop Dance Party" by the nursing staff of Sin-Lau Hospital, and cha-cha and rhumba dance by the Yintong Village Community Women's Group.
The event, filled with laughter, concluded at the square outside of the Founding Jade Emperor Temple. National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan Hospital, Tainan Municipal Hospital, Sin-Lau Hospital, and Kuo General Hospital also participated by setting up health education booths on topics such as family physician care and metabolic syndrome to raise public awareness about self-health management. Additionally, the West Central District Office and North District Office of Tainan City promoted dengue fever prevention and disaster preparedness.
The NHIA set up a designated stand to promote the NHI App and "My Health Bank." Interactive games and prize quizzes encouraged attendees to download the NHI App on their phones. With staff guidance, participants successfully activated their virtual NHI cards and learned to use "My Health Bank" for self-health management.
President Tu of the Jade Emperor Temple expressed his delight in co-organizing this historic-site walking event with the NHIA for the third time. He noted that these events not only allow participants to learn about the history, religions, and folk beliefs while fostering a culture of exercising, which encourages the public to develop regular exercise habits and improve their overall health.
Deputy Director-General Yen of the NHIA stated that the event encourages the public to embrace an active lifestyle, and enhance personal health awareness. Furthermore, the NHIA expressed deep gratitude to the Jade Emperor Temple for donating over NT$40 million in the past five years. The donation has been used to purchase high-end medical equipment, including dental devices and mobile digital mammography units, significantly improving healthcare quality in remote and rural areas. The NHIA looks forward to continued collaborating with the Jade Emperor Temple to safeguard the health of underprivileged populations.
▲Fig. 1: Deputy Director-General Chia-Jui Yen of the NHIA, President Ta-Sung Tu of the Jade Emperor Temple, Legislator Ting-Fei Chen, and President Hsiang-Kuo Chen of Taiwan Medical Association inaugurated the event by striking a gong.
▲Fig.2: Tainan Municipal Li Ren Elementary School delivered a lively and energetic performance, "Taiwan is the Best," for which Deputy Director-General Chia-Jui Yen of the NHIA presented a certificate of appreciation.
▲Fig. 3: Adults and children come together to visit historic sites and listen to stories.
▲Fig. 4: Prize quizzes were held during the historic site tours and the public participated with great enthusiasm.
▲Fig. 5: Students from Tainan Municipal Jian-Gong Elementary School delivered a creative drumming performance, drawing crowds of onlookers and continuous applause and cheers.