Taiwan wants to attend World Health Assembly 2018
Dr Chung-Hsing Chou
Although Taiwan has participated in the technical meetings, mechanisms and activities of the World Health Organisation and the World Health Assembly (WHA), it has not been invited to attend the 70th WHA as an observer in 2017.
World Health Assembly 2018 will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from May 21 to 26, 2018.
For many years, Taiwan has contributed to enhancing regional and global disease prevention networks; and is dedicated to assisting other countries in overcoming healthcare challenges to help achieve WHO’s vision that health is a fundamental human right.
Therefore, there is widespread support that Taiwan should be invited to attend the WHA.
Vulnerable geographic location
Located at a key position in East Asia, Taiwan shares environmental similarities for communicable disease outbreaks with neighboring countries and is frequently visited by international travelers. This makes Taiwan vulnerable to cross-border transmission and cross-transmission of communicable disease pathogens, which could lead to their genetic recombination or mutation, and give rise to new infectious agents.
Since Taiwan is unable to attend the WHA and is excluded from full participation in related meetings, it does not have the benefit of obtaining complete disease and medical information. This creates serious gaps in the global health security system and threatens people’s right to health.
Furthermore, countries use food products made of various materials coming from all parts of the world. According to WHO 2015 Report, more than two million deaths occur each year due to contaminated food or drinking water.
Given that Taiwan is the world’s 18th largest exporter and importer, its exclusion from the international health system poses a threat to global food safety.
Sound System needed
The WHO needs Taiwan’s participation to establish a sound global health system.
Its core objective of uplifting the standard of human health can be achieved through universal health coverage.
Taiwan was the first country in Asia to implement a National Health Insurance Programme, which boasts a coverage rate of 99.9%. Medical expenditures in Taiwan account for mere 6.3% of GDP. In this regard, Taiwan is willing and is in a position to share its experience with the WHO and other nations.
In recent years, Taiwan has successfully transformed its role on the international stage from aid recipient to assistance provider.
It has established a comprehensive disease prevention system and organised numerous training workshops aimed at building capacity to prevent Ebola, MERS, Dengue Fever and Zika in the Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia, thereby facilitating collective efforts to strengthen global health security.
Taiwanese Health Promotion
Taiwan needs the WHO to protect the health of its own people as well as those in the region and the entire world. Through its participation in the WHA and the WHO, it could share its experience with other countries, make timely reporting and acquire information on diseases, and play a constructive role in global health protection.
This would create a win-win scenario for Taiwan, the WHO, and the world community.
SARS 15th Anniversary
This year marks the 15th anniversary of outbreak of Sever Acute Respiratory System.
Fifteen years after losing many lives to SARS, Taiwan is back on its feet and has developed an even stronger disease prevention system.
Virus infection knows no borders. Only when every member of the international community is included in this collective fight against diseases can the negative effects of the next potential pandemic outbreak be minimised.
With an interest in making professional health contributions and protecting the right to health, Taiwan seeks participation in the 71st WHA this year.
It seeks a professional and pragmatic participation to become a part of global efforts aimed at realising WHO’s vision for a seamless global disease prevention network, as well as UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 by 2030.
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.
