Taiwan’s delegation praised by Premier Lai for WHA performance

2018/06/05

The delegation led by Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung to the 71st World Health Assembly in Geneva successfully conveyed to the international community the importance of Taiwan’s participation in global health, according to Premier Lai Ching-te May 31.
 
 Despite Taiwan’s exclusion from the WHA—the decision-making body of the World Health Organization—due to political pressure from China, the group performed with aplomb, Lai said. They held a record 60 meetings and five technical forums on the sidelines, and expanded exchanges and cooperation with overseas experts, officials and researchers, he added.
 
 The premier made the remarks after receiving a briefing by the Ministry of Health and Welfare at the Executive Yuan in Taipei City.
 
 According to Lai, the delegation highlighted Taiwan’s achievements in public health and medical treatment, as well as demonstrated its professionalism, pragmatism and willingness to contribute to advancing international health standards. This produced tangible benefits in the form of widespread support from diplomatic allies and like-minded countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and the U.S., he said.
 
 Such an unprecedented vote of confidence reflects a broad consensus within the global community for Taiwan’s participation in the WHA, the premier said. As does the government’s plan to donate US$1 million to the WHO’s campaign to tackle the recent Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo, he added.
 
 Lai said the government would springboard off this strong support and leave no stone unturned in ensuring Taiwan can take part in the activities and meetings of the WHO. This will further strengthen the health of its 23 million people and those the world over, he added.
 
 Taiwan participated in the WHA as an observer from 2009 to 2016 following 38 years of exclusion. Its involvement is widely recognized as helping bolster disease prevention efforts and safeguard global health security, according to the MOHW.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=2&post=135509)