The North American Taiwanese Medical Association (NATMA) on Thursday announced that it will send a delegation to the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva in May. NATMA is the largest organization of overseas Taiwanese physicians and their goal at the WHA is to advocate for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization (WHO). They will also campaign for Taiwan to attend future meetings of the WHA.
In the past, NATMA has sent delegations to the WHA five times to plead Taiwan’s case for joining the WHO.
Delegation head David Yang said that the health of 23 million people in Taiwan should not be jeopardized for political reasons. He said that Taiwan’s medical standards are world class. Yang said Taiwan has the ability to help the international community fight COVID-19.
The delegation said Taiwan held observer status at the WHA eight times in the past and has shown the world that it can contribute to global healthcare. It said that this year is more crucial than ever for Taiwan to participate in the WHA to help combat COVID-19.