Health Minister Chen Shih-chung is calling on the WHO to communicate more directly with Taiwan.
During a press conference Wednesday, Chen said that Taiwan has been unable to receive first-hand information from the WHO. He said that this has left Taiwan with an incomplete ability to form judgments on the COVID-19 pandemic and slowed down its ability to respond to it. He said that first-hand information would give Taiwan a complete picture of the pandemic and allow it to take proactive steps.
Chen said it remains unclear whether Taiwan will be able to take part in this year’s World Health Assembly meeting, scheduled to be held online on May 18. The World Health Assembly is the WHO’s decision-making body, and Taiwan is seeking to regain observer status within it.
He said that Taiwan is prepared to accept any decision about its participation, but that it hopes the result is not unduly influenced by political factors.