Talking 'Bout a Taiwan Health Revolution: Minister Chiu Slams Global Health Assembly Exclusion
Authorities reinforce membership eligibility for the World Health Assembly
By Fang Wei-li and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporter, with staff writer
Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) doesn't mince words when it comes to Taiwan's exclusion from the World Health Assembly (WHA): it's a robbery of global proportions! "The world is missing out on the benefits it could have gained from one of the world's foremost practitioners of disease prevention and public health," Chiu bluntly stated.
Taiwan has taken the COVID-19 pandemic by the horns, developing high-quality healthcare systems and sharing its expertise in mask and vaccine production with other nations. Not only that, but its healthcare system covers 99 percent of the population and boasts a proven track record in catering to disadvantaged populations and ethnic minorities.
The WHA, according to Chiu, could greatly benefit from Taiwan's involvement, particularly in implementing the Global Plan of Action for Health of Indigenous Peoples. Alas, China's obstructionism has kept Taiwan out of the assembly for years. China has been distorting UN Resolution 2758 to bully the WHA into shunning Taiwan, but Lin Chia-lung, Minister of Foreign Affairs, calls bullshit on that. "Taiwan's democratically elected government is the sole representative of its people, and it's high time the WHO recognized that," Lin said.
The exclusion of Taiwan from the WHA has left the world health community poorer and less informed. Its contribution to global health efforts, best practices sharing, and critical global health discussions have been deprived, which is a damned shame, said Lin. Not one to back down, Taiwan is poised to fight for its right to health, offering its expertise to the world, regardless of whether the WHO extends an invitation or not.
Take that, global health fraternity! Taiwan's not gonna be silenced or sidelined any longer. The government will continue to share its experience in universal health coverage and the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare. And, just to rub it in, Taiwan's hosting a forum on these very topics, which will be attended by Japan, Thailand, the US, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland. So, there!
Enrichment Data:
Background on Taiwan's Exclusion from the World Health Assembly
Taiwan's exclusion from the World Health Assembly (WHA) stems primarily from political pressure from China. China adheres to the "One-China" principle, which states that Taiwan must be recognized as a province of China. This stance has led China to block Taiwan's participation in international organizations, including the WHA, unless it is under the name "Chinese Taipei" and in a capacity that does not imply sovereignty.
Reason for Exclusion
- Political Stance: Taiwan's government has been accused by China of promoting a "separatist 'Taiwan independence' stance," which, according to China, undermines the political foundation for Taiwan's participation in the WHA.
- International Recognition: As Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations, it does not receive invitations to WHA sessions without special arrangements.
Potential Benefits for Global Health
- Allowing Taiwan to participate in the WHA could enhance global health in several ways, including:
- Contributing to global health efforts through Taiwan's expertise in pandemic prevention, response, and mask and vaccine production
- Sharing best practices and innovations in healthcare
- Fostering greater international cooperation and collaboration, aligning with the WHO's goal of "One World for Health"
- Ensuring that Taiwan's health professionals and policymakers are part of critical discussions on global health issues.
- Minister Chiu discussed the potential for Taiwan's involvement in the Global Plan of Action for Health of Indigenous Peoples at the World Health Assembly (WHA), advocating for the benefits of Taiwan's expertise in catering to disadvantaged populations and ethnic minorities in the field of health and wellness.
- While addressing the exclusion of Taiwan from the WHA, Minister Lin called for recognition of Taiwan's democratically elected government as the sole representative of its people, highlighting how this would have significant implications for nutrition, medical-conditions, and therapies-and-treatments within global health and politics.
- With the goal of sharing its experience in universal health coverage and the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare, Taiwan has organized a forum to discuss these topics with international stakeholders such as Japan, Thailand, the US, the UK, Germany, and Switzerland, aiming to garner support for its inclusion in the WHA and contribute to the advancement of health-and-wellness on a global scale. General news outlets around the world are closely monitoring this issue, reporting on the potential impact of Taiwan's exclusion and its initiatives for greater international collaboration in the realm of science.
