THE enjoyment of good health is one of the universal human rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition. It is morally wrong for any country or organization to deprive the 23 million Taiwanese people of their fundamental health rights to participate in the 2018 World Health Assembly (WHA) and share international health information, as well as the prevention of disease and epidemics.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak. Fifteen years ago, as a result of the cruel deprivation of Taiwan’s fundamental health rights imposed by Beijing, Taiwan lost many lives to SARS and greatly suffered. Although Taiwan is back on its feet and has developed an ever-stronger disease prevention system, Taiwan is still being prevented from participating in the WHA on political grounds and cannot make contributions to the uplift international health and medical services.
Virus infection knows no borders. Only when every member of the international community is included in this collective fight against diseases (could) the negative effects of the next potential pandemic outbreak be minimized.
Key health provider
SIMILAR to the Philippines, Taiwan is one of the key health providers for many developing countries and various Pacific nations. It is also one of the most important links of global disease prevention network. Not only (had our people) built many hospitals and clinics for the developing countries—from Malawi in Africa to the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, among others—but also routinely sent various medical missions and volunteer doctors to overseas countries.
(Right) 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.
Unfortunately, as Taiwan is unable to attend the WHA and is excluded from full participation in related World Health Organization (WHO) technical meetings, mechanisms and activities, (the situation) creates serious gaps in the global health-security system and threatens people’s rights to health.
In this era of increased globalization in which infectious diseases spread across boundaries, Taiwan has the urgent and practical need to be an important and indispensable partner in the fight of the global diseases.
Substantial contributor
MOREOVER, Taiwan has the ability to make substantial contributions to the global efforts on disease prevention and control as it has established a comprehensive disease-prevention system. It has organized numerous training workshops aimed at building capacity to prevent (the spread of diseases caused by, and viruses such as) Ebola, Middle East respiratory syndrome, dengue fever and Zika in the (regions of) Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia, thereby facilitating collective efforts to strengthen global health security.
In addition, Taiwan was first in Asia to implement a national health-insurance program that boasts a coverage rate of 99.9 percent. Medical expenditures account for mere 6.3 percent of its GDP. Taiwan is ready and willing to share its experiences with members of the WHO and other countries.
Last, but not (the) least, Taiwan’s participation will enhance the global health system and serve as a good role model for universal health coverage. This is why in January of this year, the United States House of Representatives passed a bill to direct the US Secretary of State to help Taiwan participate in the WHA.
It is envisaged that through Taiwan’s participation in the WHA and the WHO, it can share its experience with other countries—including the Philippines—(to) make timely reporting, acquire information on diseases and play a constructive role in global and regional health protection. This would create a win-win scenario for Taiwan, the Philippines, the WHO and the world community.
Taiwan and the Philippines are the closest of neighbors. There are approximately 150,000 Filipinos working in (there, with millions) travelling through. Last year there were around 300,000 Filipinos (who visited) Taiwan.
Given the bilateral close relations for our common interests and protection of people’s health, I hereby humbly urge the Philippine government, Congress, health organizations and general public to support Taiwan for its participation in the WHA in May 2018.