Modern medicine was first introduced to Taiwan in 1865 by Scottish missionary James Laidlaw Maxwell. Seven years later, George Leslie Mackay arrived in Taiwan, starting his missionary work and medical services. Because of the selfless dedication of these missionaries, the development of modern medicine in Taiwan was able to take off. In the Japanese Rule Era, the Medicine Department of Taiwan Governor-General Office was founded, resulting in the standard medical education in Taiwan and fostering many famous physicians, such as the first medical doctor in Taiwan-Tu Tsung-Ming and the famous physician in Mengjia, Asho Ro. Ro was the owner of No 298, 300, 302 on Kunming Street and No. 97 on Guanzhou Street. His dedication to studying and kind treatments of patients should be followed.

Missionaries and the introduction of modern medicine into Taiwan

Modern medicine was first introduced to Taiwan in 1865, when Scottish Presbyterian missionary James Laidlaw Maxwell was sent to Taiwan for missionary work and medical services. In 1868, Maxwell founded “Old-Building Clinic.” In 1872, the well-known Dr. George Leslie Mackay arrived in Taiwan, marking the beginning of medical services provided by churches in northern Taiwan. As a result, in addition to traditional Chinese remedies and witchcraft practiced by the aborigines, Taiwanese also learned about another type of scientific medicine. To date, medical services provided by churches are still very common, being an important part of the medical system in Taiwan.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Story of Dr. Mackay

Raised in a Christian family, Mackay was already determined to do missionary work abroad when he was still a student. In 1871, he arrived in Taiwan alone, and started in Tamsui his missionary work as well as medical services. Although Mackay was not a physician, he was very familiar with medical and pharmaceutical knowledge, and therefore, in addition to missionary work, he also offer medical consultation. When Mackay learned about a Mrs. Mackay living in Detroit, USA was willing to donate 3000 US Dollars to construct a hospital in memorial of her deceased husband, Dr. Mackay then used this amount to build ”Hobe MacKay Hospital.” The hospital was opened in 1879.

Story of Dr. Maxwell 

Maxwell was Scottish, and the first Presbyterian missionary in Taiwan. He graduated from University of Edinburgh with outstanding grades and then he took a position in Birmingham General Hospital. He was sent to Taiwan in 1865 and founded the first western hospital “West Gate Clinic,” offering free medical services while doing missionary work. However, due to the opposition of local Chinese physicians and residents, who claimed that he took people’s heart, lever and eyeballs as medication, his church and clinic were surrounded and demolished, lasting only 24 days. Afterwards, Maxwell moved to Cihou in Kaohsiung, which was the consular district of UK, and founded “Cihou Clinic.” Because of his effort, more and more people started to seek medical treatments from him and go to church.

Story of David Landsborough

Born in a family of clergymen in Scotland, David Landsborough decided to do missionary work when he graduated from University of Glasgow, and therefore, went on to study medicine at University of Edinburgh. After arriving in Taiwan, he moved the missionary-formed “Dashe Clinic” to Zhanhua and renamed it “Landsborough’ Hospital.” Furthermore, he purchased a piece of land in 1906 and built “Changhua Christian Hospital.” Because of patients’ word of mouth, the public no longer rejected modern medicine. Also, Landsborough’s amazing skills also made him a surgeon known to the entire island.

The oldest hospital in Taiwan 

At end of 1868, Maxwell returned to Tainan. At that time, people were slowly more acceptant of western medicine, and Maxwell successfully founded “Old-Building Clinic” the next year. After Maxwell left, the clinic moved back to its current address and was changed into Sin-Lau Hospital. It was a hospital with very advanced facilities, and it is now also the oldest hospital in Taiwan.