President Lai Attends Groundbreaking for Baishatun Mazu Hospital to Bolster Miaoli Coastal Healthcare
Tungs' MetroHarbor Medical Corporation began construction of the 'Baishatun Mazu Hospital' near Baishatun Gongtian Temple in Tongxiao, Miaoli, with a groundbreaking ceremony held on the 19th. President Lai Ching-te also attended to pray for the project's safety. The initiative aims to reinforce the insufficient medical resources in Miaoli's coastal area. Tungs' Hospital has a long-standing partnership, having provided medical support for the Baishatun Mazu pilgrimage to Beigang since 2013. The new facility is planned as a smart hospital utilizing AI technology, with a site area of about 1,200 ping (approx. 3,967 sq. meters), 5 stories above ground and 2 below, and is slated for completion in 2029. It will offer 24-hour emergency services and various outpatient departments.
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- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 15:19
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Tungs' MetroHarbor Medical Corporation held a groundbreaking ceremony today for the 'Baishatun Mazu Hospital,' which it applied to establish near the Baishatun Gongtian Temple in Tongxiao, Miaoli. President Lai Ching-te personally presided over the event, and the Baishatun Gongtian Temple's Mazu also attended in the 'Pink Supercar' palanquin to bless the project.
For over a century since the founding of Baishatun Gongtian Temple, Tungs' MetroHarbor Hospital is the first hospital to provide 24-hour support services for the 'xiangdengjiao' (pilgrims) during Mazu's annual pilgrimage to Beigang. Since 2013, it has mobilized medical teams and ambulances each year to participate in the pilgrimage, providing pilgrims with extra peace of mind and professional protection.
Tungs' Hospital noted that due to the insufficient medical resources in the remote coastal areas of Miaoli, it decided to apply for the hospital's establishment to fulfill its corporate social responsibility, give back to local residents and devotees, and practice Mazu's spirit of compassion. This was facilitated by the Miaoli County Government and Baishatun Gongtian Temple. After consulting Mazu through 'jiaobei' (moon blocks), the hospital was named 'Tungs' MetroHarbor Medical Corporation Baishatun Mazu Hospital.'
Tung Min-che, Chairman of Tungs' MetroHarbor Medical Corporation, explained that the connection began in 2013 when Hung Wen-hua, chairman of Gongtian Temple, sought treatment at Tungs' Hospital. After recovering, Hung asked if the hospital could provide medical assistance during the pilgrimage. Although Tung was unfamiliar with Baishatun at the time, as a native of the coastal region who felt blessed by Mazu throughout his education and career as a doctor, he readily agreed. In 2024, Hung again encouraged him to build a hospital in Baishatun. Although initially planning only a clinic, Mazu's instructions via 'jiaobei' were to 'build a hospital.' The land was also acquired through prayers to Mazu, and various affinities led to the project's realization.
At the morning groundbreaking ceremony, President Lai Ching-te personally presided and jointly led the main rituals with Tung Min-che. Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin, Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin, independent legislator Chen Chao-ming, Speaker Li Wen-pin, Gongtian Temple Chairman Hung Wen-hua, and many representatives from central, local, and medical sectors witnessed the event. The Baishatun Gongtian Temple Mazu also arrived in the 'Pink Supercar' palanquin to bless the hospital's construction.
President Lai stated that Tungs' Hospital is a landmark hospital in the greater Taichung area with excellent medical skills and modern equipment. Based on its medical confidence and gratitude to Mazu, it is helping to strengthen Miaoli's coastal healthcare. He joked that Mazu's divine power was at play, first orchestrating a 'ruse' by having the Gongtian Temple chairman fall ill and seek treatment at Tungs' Hospital, leading to a quick recovery and forging this positive connection.
President Lai mentioned a 'triple blessing' for healthcare in Miaoli County. This includes the central government fully funding the over NT$2.1 billion expansion project for the emergency and critical care building at the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Miaoli Hospital; the groundbreaking for the Da-Chien Hospital's Zhunan branch, which aims to become a quasi-medical center; and today's Tungs' Baishatun Mazu Hospital. He believes that once these three hospitals are operational as scheduled, there will be phased results addressing the long-standing appeals of Miaoli residents.
President Lai also elaborated on his 'Healthy Taiwan' national policy vision. Through the 'Healthy Taiwan Deepening Plan,' the government will continue to expand investment in medical and care services to promote holistic health for all ages. For cancer prevention, he proposed expanding screening, moving towards precision medicine, and establishing a NT$10 billion new cancer drug fund. Additionally, for the prevention of the 'three highs' (hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia), he proposed the '888 plan,' aiming to include 80% of patients in a care network, have 80% of those in the network receive health counseling, and ensure 80% of those patients' conditions are continuously controlled. The ultimate goal is to increase the average life expectancy of the nation's people by three years by 2032.
The Tungs' Baishatun Mazu Hospital is located near Gongtian Road and County Road Miao 32 in Tongxiao Township, close to the Qianliyan and Shunfenger statues in the Gongtian Temple scenic park. The site covers approximately 1,200 ping (3,967 square meters). It is planned as a 5-story above-ground, 2-story below-ground hospital equipped with intelligent and automated AI medical technology. It will feature 35 acute general beds, 24-hour emergency services, various outpatient clinics including internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, and pediatrics, as well as operating rooms, an endoscopy unit, and a rehabilitation center. Following today's groundbreaking, it is expected to be completed and inaugurated in 2029.
For over a century since the founding of Baishatun Gongtian Temple, Tungs' MetroHarbor Hospital is the first hospital to provide 24-hour support services for the 'xiangdengjiao' (pilgrims) during Mazu's annual pilgrimage to Beigang. Since 2013, it has mobilized medical teams and ambulances each year to participate in the pilgrimage, providing pilgrims with extra peace of mind and professional protection.
Tungs' Hospital noted that due to the insufficient medical resources in the remote coastal areas of Miaoli, it decided to apply for the hospital's establishment to fulfill its corporate social responsibility, give back to local residents and devotees, and practice Mazu's spirit of compassion. This was facilitated by the Miaoli County Government and Baishatun Gongtian Temple. After consulting Mazu through 'jiaobei' (moon blocks), the hospital was named 'Tungs' MetroHarbor Medical Corporation Baishatun Mazu Hospital.'
Tung Min-che, Chairman of Tungs' MetroHarbor Medical Corporation, explained that the connection began in 2013 when Hung Wen-hua, chairman of Gongtian Temple, sought treatment at Tungs' Hospital. After recovering, Hung asked if the hospital could provide medical assistance during the pilgrimage. Although Tung was unfamiliar with Baishatun at the time, as a native of the coastal region who felt blessed by Mazu throughout his education and career as a doctor, he readily agreed. In 2024, Hung again encouraged him to build a hospital in Baishatun. Although initially planning only a clinic, Mazu's instructions via 'jiaobei' were to 'build a hospital.' The land was also acquired through prayers to Mazu, and various affinities led to the project's realization.
At the morning groundbreaking ceremony, President Lai Ching-te personally presided and jointly led the main rituals with Tung Min-che. Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin, Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin, independent legislator Chen Chao-ming, Speaker Li Wen-pin, Gongtian Temple Chairman Hung Wen-hua, and many representatives from central, local, and medical sectors witnessed the event. The Baishatun Gongtian Temple Mazu also arrived in the 'Pink Supercar' palanquin to bless the hospital's construction.
President Lai stated that Tungs' Hospital is a landmark hospital in the greater Taichung area with excellent medical skills and modern equipment. Based on its medical confidence and gratitude to Mazu, it is helping to strengthen Miaoli's coastal healthcare. He joked that Mazu's divine power was at play, first orchestrating a 'ruse' by having the Gongtian Temple chairman fall ill and seek treatment at Tungs' Hospital, leading to a quick recovery and forging this positive connection.
President Lai mentioned a 'triple blessing' for healthcare in Miaoli County. This includes the central government fully funding the over NT$2.1 billion expansion project for the emergency and critical care building at the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Miaoli Hospital; the groundbreaking for the Da-Chien Hospital's Zhunan branch, which aims to become a quasi-medical center; and today's Tungs' Baishatun Mazu Hospital. He believes that once these three hospitals are operational as scheduled, there will be phased results addressing the long-standing appeals of Miaoli residents.
President Lai also elaborated on his 'Healthy Taiwan' national policy vision. Through the 'Healthy Taiwan Deepening Plan,' the government will continue to expand investment in medical and care services to promote holistic health for all ages. For cancer prevention, he proposed expanding screening, moving towards precision medicine, and establishing a NT$10 billion new cancer drug fund. Additionally, for the prevention of the 'three highs' (hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia), he proposed the '888 plan,' aiming to include 80% of patients in a care network, have 80% of those in the network receive health counseling, and ensure 80% of those patients' conditions are continuously controlled. The ultimate goal is to increase the average life expectancy of the nation's people by three years by 2032.
The Tungs' Baishatun Mazu Hospital is located near Gongtian Road and County Road Miao 32 in Tongxiao Township, close to the Qianliyan and Shunfenger statues in the Gongtian Temple scenic park. The site covers approximately 1,200 ping (3,967 square meters). It is planned as a 5-story above-ground, 2-story below-ground hospital equipped with intelligent and automated AI medical technology. It will feature 35 acute general beds, 24-hour emergency services, various outpatient clinics including internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, and pediatrics, as well as operating rooms, an endoscopy unit, and a rehabilitation center. Following today's groundbreaking, it is expected to be completed and inaugurated in 2029.