MOFA states regret over Taiwan’s noninvitation to WHA

2018/05/09

Taiwan’s noninvitation to the 71st World Health Assembly in Geneva is regretted by the government and people of Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 7.
 
 The MOFA extends its sincere appreciation to diplomatic allies and like-minded nations such as the U.S., as well as international health organizations, for supporting Taiwan’s participation in this year’s WHA through various concrete actions.
 
 If the invitation had been forthcoming, it would have been in line with the World Health Organization’s constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the MOFA said. It would also have enabled Taiwan to work with WHO member states in promoting the organization’s core goal of providing universal health coverage for all, the ministry added.
 
 The MOFA said the highest attainable standard of health is the fundamental right of every human being without distinction of economic or social conditions, as well as race, religion and political beliefs. This universal value is clearly stipulated in the WHO constitution and is the basis for Taiwan’s equal participation in the WHA and other activities, meetings and mechanisms organized by the WHO, the ministry added.
 
 The MOFA urged the WHO to look squarely at the long-standing health care partnerships between Taiwan and the organization’s member states, Taiwan’s concrete contributions to promoting public health safety and the right to health, and Taiwan’s important role in the global disease control network.
 
 Only the democratically elected government can represent Taiwan’s 23 million people and take responsibility for their health and well-being, the ministry said.
 
 The MOFA calls on the WHO and related parties to adopt an inclusive approach and accept Taiwan’s participation in this year’s WHA and other WHO-organized activities, meetings and mechanisms. In this way, human rights can be upheld, the integrity of the global disease network maintained and a win-win result achieved for all, the ministry added.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=2&post=133895)