Dr Chung-Hsing Chou
Auckland, April 7, 2018
Taiwan is an important partner in global health security and as such calls for support for its participation in World Health Organisation (WHO) and the 2018 World Health Assembly (WHA).
According to the Constitution of the WHO, enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.
Taiwan is a country of 23 million people and is the 18th largest import and export Nation.
It is located at the key transmission position for international travellers and communicable disease pathogens in East Asia.
Serious gap created
Even so, unfortunately, Taiwan was not invited to attend the 70th World Health Assembly as an observer in 2017, which has not only deprived 23 million people’s human rights but also left a serious gap in the global health security system.
Taiwan was never a health aid recipient from the international society.
Nevertheless, it has successfully transformed itself into an assistance provider in recent years.
The country has also established a comprehensive disease prevention system and organised numerous training workshops aimed at preventing Ebola, MERS, dengue fever and Zika.
Taiwan is now capable and hence has a strong intention to play a positive role in the global health security.
National Insurance Programme
Furthermore, Taiwan is the first country in Asia to implement a National Health Insurance Programme, under which 99.9% residents are covered and receive quality medical treatment.
Most of all, medical expenditures in Taiwan account for mere 6.3% of its GDP.
Comparing to other major developed countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, UK, and US, Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Programme has provided a good example to the world.
From above mentioned factors, including Taiwan in the WHO and WHA will reinforce the former’s belief that health is a fundamental human right and enhance regional and global disease prevention networks.
We, therefore, call on the New Zealand government and people to support Taiwan to participate in the WHA this year.
Dr Chung-Hsing Chou (File Photo) is Director General of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Auckland. Read two more related articles in this issue. The above is an edited version.
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