The Taiwan Medical Association (TMA) and 20 other major medical groups held a press conference Wednesday morning calling on the WHO to prioritize global health over politics and invite Taiwan to attend this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA).
The 77th WHA will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from May 27 through June 1. Taiwan has been excluded from this event for the past eight years due to objections by China, who began blocking Taiwan’s participation in 2017 after President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) was elected. The World Medical Association, which represents millions of doctors from 114 member countries globally, has formally written to the WHO Director-General each year to encourage Taiwan’s inclusion.
TMA President Dr. Ching-Ming Chou (周慶明) emphasized that Taiwan has advanced medical technology and talent to offer the world and the willingness to share knowledge and experience. Health Minister-designate Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源), who attended the press conference as the honorary chairman of the TMA, further noted that international medical organizations support Taiwan for its excellent epidemic prevention and response.
DPP legislator Wang Cheng-Hsu (王正旭) and KMT legislator Chen Ching-Hui (陳菁徽), both of whom are part of the Taiwan WHA Action Team, also contributed to the discussion. Wang said this year’s WHA has drawn up six priority areas, which correspond to the plan for a healthier Taiwan proposed by President-elect Lai Ching-te (賴清德). Chen added that, in addition to sharing the country’s experience with the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan hopes to learn from other countries about how to handle domestic challenges such as its aging population and low birth rate.