Witnessing history: the Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan. The first twenty years.

摘要

In the blink of an eye, 20 years have passed since the establishment of the Infectious Diseases Society of Taiwan. In these two decades, we have witnessed the metamorphosis of medical practice in Taiwan and sustained the effects of continued emerging infectious diseases. The evolution has included the implementation of the national health insurance, the inclusion of infection control as a standard in hospital accreditation, the 1998 Enterovirus 71 outbreak, the "921" great earthquake in 1999, the 2002 dengue outbreak in southern Taiwan, the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome pandemic, the resurgence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and tuberculosis and the ongoing threat of avian flu.Through these challenges, the efforts of members and specialists of the Infectious Diseases Society have been pivotal. Reliving the Society's history from the day it was established on September 20 of 1987 evokes mixed emotions, but most of all, brings heartfelt appreciation of the efforts and commitment of the founders and their successors.