Association purposeTOP
Introduction
Psoriasis Association Taiwan is a national charitable organization founded by psoriasis patients. We are a non-profit organization in Taiwan that aims to raise public awareness about psoriasis, promote education of this medical condition, and advocate for the rights for psoriasis patients.We offer medical consultation services to psoriasis patients, and also urge the medical community in Taiwan to implement research on psoriasis treatment and prevention. We aim to improve the social welfare and protect the rights of psoriasis patients. We infuse continuous efforts in the advocacy of incorporating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in the Catastrophic Illness Certification and the revision of sections regarding skin diseases in the Physically and Mentally Disabled Citizens Protection Act. Furthermore, we actively recruit social resources, governmental agencies, and civil groups to help formulate and analyze medical resources and information for psoriasis patients, as well as to examine the actualization of relevant public policies. Our ultimate purpose is to assure that all psoriasis patients benefit from quality health care.
Establishment
Psoriasis Association Taiwan is a civil charitable organization established in the spring of 2005 by psoriasis patients and families around Taiwan, with the goal to care for psoriasis patients. Social stigma of psoriasis is pervasive in Taiwan, and there was no agency supporting comprehensive health care for psoriasis patients. In view of this, the founders of this organization initiated recruitment through hospitals, the internet, and patient groups. Several meetings were convened in Taipei to draft preparatory outline. After extensive planning and communication, a major patient conference was held in National Taiwan University Medical Center in mid-July, 2005. During the conference, founders from various regions shared their experiences, and seminars were conducted which laid down the foundation for the Psoriasis Association Taiwan Preparation Committee. Following this event, the Psoriasis Association Taiwan was established according to the Civil Associations Act and guidelines set by Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Health and Welfare. The yearlong establishment process was supported by founders from more than 15 cities and counties, and promoted by all preparation committee members and founders. It involved preliminary meetings, a founders meeting, and 3 preparation meetings, as well as overcoming tremendous obstacles and numerous communications through official letters. In February 2006, an inauguration event was held at the Taipei Physical and Mental Welfare Hall. In late June, 2006, the Ministry of the Interior issued a registration certificate and seal stamp. In July of the same year, with assistance from the patients and the public, Psoriasis Association Taiwan finally received approval for organization registration.
Our mission and belief
◎ Promote the revision of welfare service policies and regulations pertaining to psoriasis patients.
◎ Raise awareness about the basic human rights and social welfare of psoriasis patients.
◎ Construct health education platforms regarding psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
◎ Provide social welfare services to psoriasis patients.
◎ Encourage governmental contribution to improving health care environment, education, and prevention of psoriasis.
◎ Integrate medical service network for psoriasis in Taiwan.
◎ Develop a Taiwan psoriasis research database.
Our goals
◎ Short-term goals: Increase awareness about this chronic condition and general health management of the public, patients, and their families.
◎ Medium-term goals: Combine social resources to help the patients gain appropriate subsidies for medication from the national health insurance scheme, medical consultation services, education, employment, military service health examination support, and catastrophic disease care. Organize member social gatherings, conferences, and medical seminars to create a health education platform that facilitates mental support and experience exchange between patients.
◎ Long-term goals: Ultimately, we wish to nurture a welfare-centered society that is caring and friendly toward minority groups, allowing them to live free of fear and discrimination. We also aim to achieve international standard medical development with provisions of advanced information regarding psoriasis.
Who we serve and what we do
Who we serve: patients with psoriasis or psoriatic conditions, families, people who are interested in this issue.
What we do:
◎ Help patients develop positive attitudes toward psoriasis.
◎ Promote the basic rights of psoriasis patients. Implement health and preventive medicine education to raise public awareness about psoriasis.
◎ Assist patients in medical treatment, employment, education, home care, psychological counseling, and military service health examination.
◎ Offer appropriate medical consultations and advice, and new findings on general health and medicine for psoriasis patients.
◎ Hold regular regional seminars and conferences focusing on psoriasis treatment, prevention, and care.
◎ Organize regular psoriasis patient and family support groups, conventions, and social gatherings.
◎ Organize regular outdoor social gatherings to encourage patients to enjoy the sunshine and nature, relieving stress from everyday life and work, and helping prevent and alleviate psoriasis symptoms.
◎ Advocate for incorporating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in the Catastrophic Illness Certification; Assist immobile patients with repeated prescription for chronic illnesses to reduce the long-term medical cost for chronic psoriasis patients.
◎ Support and promote the actualization of the specific protections for skin diseases in the amended draft of the Physically and Mentally Disabled Citizens Protection Act, assuring that it meets the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) standard and benefits for those with catastrophic illnesses.
◎ Develop the Taiwan psoriasis survey and questionnaire database to collect information for the medical field to conduct research studying clinical treatment for psoriasis.
◎ Establish national psoriasis information center that provides Chinese and English literature, journals, and dissertations on psoriasis.
◎ Provide consultations and referral services for psoriasis patients and families.
◎ Establish psoriasis promotion volunteer group to help disseminate correct medical information about psoriasis to the public in Taiwan, reducing social prejudice and discrimination to prevent further psychological impact on psoriasis patients.
◎ Conduct occasional social service training for volunteers in the association.
◎ Pay visits to psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis patients for emergency support.
Organizational StructureTOP
Our organizational structure
Psoriasis Association Taiwan has members of psoriasis patients and families from around Taiwan. We aim to recruit more members who have passion about this important medical issue to help advocate the rights of patients afflicted with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in Taiwan, and also to provide the latest medical and health information to these patients. We purport to establish regional office around the country to offer more comprehensive services for the patients and their families. We wish to gradually increase public understanding about psoriatic diseases, eliminate discrimination toward minority groups, and improve the medical environment for psoriasis patients. Our highest decision making body is our Executive Committee, which is currently comprises of 12members. The chairman is the appointed convener of the national member conference, executive committee meeting, and medical conference. Under the chairman, there is the secretary general, secretary division, and liaison office to jointly coordinate and operate the committee.
Psoriasis Association Taiwan Constitution) ( simplified version )TOP
Psoriasis Association Taiwan Constitution (Simplified Version)
Chapter 1. General Provisions
Article 1. The official name for this organization is Psoriasis Association Taiwan (hereafter referred to as this “Association”).
Article 2. This Association is a lawfully established non-profit social organization.
Our missions:
The purpose of this organization is to extend human compassion and congregate social resources to help psoriasis patients emerge from darkness; assist them in healthcare, education, and employment, allowing them to return to society and enjoy the rights and duties of everyday people; expand their living environment, construct various charity organizations to promote safe and friendly society.
Article 3. The organization region of this Association encompasses all administrative regions of this country.
Article 4. This Association is established within the district of its competent authority, and all divisions are established with approval from the relevant authority.
Article 5. Duties:
1. All diagnosed psoriasis patients of Taiwanese nationality of all ages, religion, and political orientation are eligible to become an official member of this Association.
2. All personal members and group members may enjoy the benefits and shall fulfill the duties of participating in this Association
4. All members are required to pay a registration fee and annual membership fee
5. Encourage members to continue pursuing education, promote optimism and perseverance.
6. Inspire kindness and encourage workforce participation.
7. Care for elderly members and improve the welfare of senior citizens.
9. Support patient adaptation to society, provide rehabilitation and counseling services, improve interpersonal relationship, and provide vocational training.
Article 6. Competent authorities of this Association include the Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Chapter 2. Membership
Article 7. Requirements:
1. Official member: All competent psoriasis patients aged 20 or over are eligible to apply for official membership. Membership application shall be submitted to and approved by the Executive Committee, and membership fee shall be paid to become an official member. Psoriasis patients under 20 years of age shall obtain consent from legal guardian prior to participation.
2. General member: All Taiwanese citizens who identify with the mission and believes of this Association may become a general member of this Association.
3. Group member: All public and private organizations or groups that agree with the mission of this Association. Membership applications shall be submitted to and approved by the Executive Committee, and membership fee shall be paid to become a group member. Group member shall appoint one person to exercise membership rights and duties.
Article 9. All members are required to abide by this constitution and meeting resolutions, and pay membership fees.
Members who do not pay the membership fee will not be eligible for the membership benefits.
Article 10. Member (member representative) who infringe the law, constitution, or fail to adhere to resolution from member conference may be penalized with warning or suspension by the Executive Committee.
Chapter 3. Organization and Duties
Article 14. Duties:
1. Stipulations and amendments of this constitution.
2. Election and removal of officers and supervisors of the committee.
3. Discuss and determine registration fees, annual membership fees, operation fees, and donation methods.
4. Discuss and determine annual work plans, reports, budget, and financial statements.
6. Discuss and determine actions taken for assets.
7. Discuss and determine the dissolution of this committee.
Article 15. This committee is comprised of 9 (nine) officers and 3 (three) supervisors, all of which are elected by the members (member representatives). Officer Committee and Supervisor Committee will be appointed.
Article 16. Duties of the Officer Committee
1. Assess membership (member representative) eligibility.
4. Staff recruitment and dismissal.
5. Formulate annual work plan, report, budget, and financial statement.
6. Other duties.
Article 17. The Officer Committee is comprised of general officers.
Article 18. Duties of the Supervisor Committee
2. Review and approve of annual financial statements.
5. Other supervisory duties.
Article 20. Officers and supervisors are non-paid positions.
Article 21. Officers and supervisors may be removed from the committee for reasons listed on the left.
Article 22. This committee has one secretary general who will handle tasks assigned by the chairman. Other staff…
Article 23. This committee may appoint other committees, teams, or other internal operational organizations.
Article 24. The Chairman may hire one honorary chairman, honorary officer, consultant…
Chapter 4. Meetings
Article 25. There are regular member conference and special meeting, which will be convened by the chairman.
Article 26. When members (member representatives) are unable to attend the members meeting, they may provide printed authorization for other members…
Article 27. Resolutions of member conference (member representative)…
Chapter 5: Funding and Accounting
Article 30. Source of funding:
1. Registration fee
2. Annual membership fee
3. Operation fee
4. Member donation.
5. Sponsorship revenue
6. Fund and accrued interest
7. Other income
Article 31. This fiscal year of this Association follows the calendar year.
Article 32. The Officer Committee will the compile annual work plan two months prior to the commencement of each fiscal year.
Article 33. When this Association dissolves, its remaining property will be redistributed to self-governing bodies located in the respective region or institutes appointed by competent authority.
Chapter 6. Supplementary Provisions
Article 34. Relevant laws and regulations will be applied to Items not stated in this constitution.
Article 35. This constitution is approved in a Member Conference (member representative), approval from competent authority is required before implementation and amendment.
Article 36. This constitution was approved in the 2006 1st Member Conference held on February 18th, and approved by the Ministry of the Interior as indicated by official letter issued on June 20th, 2006 (reference number: 0950089863).
Volunteer RecruitmentTOP
Volunteer Recruitment
Psoriasis Association Taiwan Volunteer Recruitment Policy
1. Mission
The purpose of the Psoriasis Association Taiwan (hereafter referred to as “this Association”) Volunteer team is to utilize the knowledge, experiences, and time of those who are willing to provide services to patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The objective of this policy is to establish a management system that assures this association promotes various services effectively.
2. Target group
Individuals who are willing to devote their knowledge, experience, and time to patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
3. Services
1. Assist with administrative tasks.
2. Assist in major patient events or promotion events.
3. Other services for patients.
4. Selection process
Volunteer recruitment will be conducted whenever it is required by this associated. Applicants will be selected according to their available time, specialty, and intended role.
5. Duties and rights
1. Duties
1. Volunteer is a non-paid position, and volunteers shall adhere to the regulations and policies of this association.
2. Participate in mandatory training.
3. Adhere to the ethical guideline.
4. Respect the patient’s rights when providing service.
5. Keep any information obtained during service confidential.
6. Must not receive payment from the patient providing service to.
7. Ensure resources provided by this association are well maintained.
2. Rights
Where volunteers require service performance certification for education, training, employment, or other purposes, this association will provide documents in accordance to the Regulations on Volunteer Service and other guidelines.
6. Dismissal of Volunteers
Volunteers are required to sign a service agreement, eligibility will be removed when:
1. Unable to provide further service.
2. Violation to the duties stated above or other rules.
3. Misconduct affecting the reputation of this association or the rights of other volunteers, staff, and patients.
7. Others
The Regulations on Volunteer Service will be applied to Items not stated in this Policy.
Contact UsTOP
We need your help to protect the social rights and improve medical treatment of psoriasis patients.
Please call the Public Relation Office at (02)2952-0820 or e-mail: psotaiwan@gmail.com. We appreciate your help and support.
Please fill out the form, we will contact with you as soon as possible.
Consultant PhysicianTOP
Consulting doctors
Our team of professional consulting doctors
Meng-Ling Wang. Dietician at Department of Nutrition Support of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung
Li-Ling Chang. Dietician at Department of Nutrition Support of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou
Dr. I-Cheng Ho. Attending at Department of Dermatology of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung
Dr. Chih-Hung Li. Attending at Department of Dermatology of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung
Dr. Chieh-Shan Wu. Director at Department of Dermatology of Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital
Dr. Nan-Lin Wu. Attending at Department of Dermatology of Mackay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu
Dr. Yang-Chih Lin. Attending at Department of Dermatology of Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei
Dr. Yu-Hui Huang, Attending at Department of Dermatology of Chang Chung Memorial Hospital. Linkou
Dr. Chih-Hsun Yang Chairman of Taiwanese Dermatological Association, and Director at Department of Dermatology of Chang Chung Memorial Hospital, Taipei
Dr. Cheng-Fang Tsai. Attending at Department of Dermatology of National Taiwan University Hospital and Associate Professor of Dermatology at National Taiwan University, College of Medicine.
Dr. Chang-Lin Tsai. Attending at Department of Dermatology of Hsin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital
Dr. Han-Min Lai. Department of Immunology & Rheumatology of Chang Chung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung.
(Listed in ascending order by the number of strokes in the surname)