OPINION:
Following years of effort, Taiwan finally was seated as an observer at the World Health Assembly in 2009 and has been invited to attend again this year when the assembly convenes Monday. U.S. support has been critical to the inclusion of Taiwan in the most prominent global health organization. For this, Taiwan is grateful.
Our experts have taken part in four World Health Organization (WHO) technical meetings so far this year. This has given us access to firsthand information concerning disease prevention and control methods used around the world as well as health issues affecting other countries. WHO participation not only is invaluable for use in crafting our national health policy, it also enhances our ability to engage in bilateral health cooperation.
With our Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now a party to the WHO’s International Health Regulations (IHR), we no longer suffer from a dearth of information. During the 2009 outbreak of a new H1N1 influenza virus strain, Taiwan obtained a wealth of timely, relevant information and virus samples from the WHO. For our part, we have helped create a more complete global health network by reporting dozens of confirmed cases of H1N1 to the WHO and cooperating with other nations to fight this disease. Taiwan was able to immunize 75 percent of schoolchildren between the ages of 6 and 15 as well as 80 percent of medical professionals. Mortality among those who contracted H1N1 in Taiwan was lower than that of all but two of the 30 countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Taiwan has striven to reciprocate the goodwill of the international community. For instance, we have offered to donate locally produced H1N1 vaccines valued at $5 million. Also, when Haiti was struck by a major earthquake earlier this year, we immediately dispatched medical supplies and medical teams to help with relief work. Our contributions include treating more than 2,500 persons, providing materials and funding worth $16 million and donating 1,200 emergency housing units. World Vision Taiwan, a nongovernmental organization, will be able to support more than 8,000 homeless children and orphans in Haiti with the funds it has raised.
Taking part in WHO activities is of great significance to our work to safeguard our people’s lives and safety. With that in mind, we are seeking to expand our participation in WHO meetings, mechanisms and activities, especially regarding the following:
Expert and technical meetings: As things now stand, we must apply each time we wish to attend a WHO meeting. Also, the WHO only provides us with limited notice of these events, inhibiting our ability to take part. We call on the global health body to simplify its application procedures and provide us with more information on its meetings.
Western Pacific Regional Office: Located in the Asia-Pacific region, Taiwan has frequent contact with nations that are under the auspices of the Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO). As work to prevent the spread of disease in the region affects all of these countries, our absence from the WPRO is regrettable.
International Food Safety Authorities Network: In January, we established the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA). We are looking for the TFDA to be invited to participate in the International Food Safety Authorities Network using the model employed to have Taiwan’s CDC become party to the IHR, as this would help ensure food safety for our 23 million people.
Anticipating that the WHO and its member states will support the above requests, Taiwan will continue to comply with international norms and cooperate with WHO member states in contributing to the international community.
Yaung Chih-liang is minister of health for the Republic of China (Taiwan).
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