Taiwan has still not received an invite to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA). The World Health Organization’s (WHO) decision-making body was set to resume its annual session on November 9 at 10am, Central European Time.
The WHA was originally scheduled for May of this year, and had commenced on schedule. But it was later suspended due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday morning said that the WHA is ignoring Taiwan due to political considerations. Taiwan has attended WHA meetings in the past as an observer. But, in recent years, it has been excluded due to Chinese pressure.
The foreign ministry says that by ignoring Taiwan, the WHA is neglecting the health of the Taiwanese people. The ministry says that goes against the WHO’s goal of “health for all.”
The foreign ministry says that government and civic institutions from the US, Europe, Africa, and Latin America have expressed public support for Taiwan’s participation in the WHA.
Meanwhile, Taiwan will host an online conference centered around cancer treatment, which will run at the same time as the WHA. Health officials from other countries will be invited to participate.