WHO: Cooperation By Professional Participation

Expanding medical cooperation through professional participation in WHO

Yaung Chih-liang
Minister of Health
Taiwan

Following years of effort, Taiwan was finally seated as an observer to the World Health Assembly in 2009 and has been invited to attend again this year.

Our experts have taken part in four World Health Organization (WHO) technical meetings so far this year. This has given us access to firsthand information concerning disease prevention and control methods used around the world as well as health issues affecting other countries. WHO participation not only is invaluable for use in crafting our national health policy, it also enhances our ability to engage in bilateral health cooperation.

With our Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now a party to the WHO’s International Health Regulations (IHR), we no longer suffer from a dearth of information. During the 2009 outbreak of a new H1N1 influenza virus strain, Taiwan obtained a wealth of timely, relevant information and virus samples from the WHO. For our part, we have helped create a more complete global health network by reporting dozens of confirmed cases of H1N1 to the WHO and cooperating with other nations to fight this disease.

Taiwan has striven to reciprocate the goodwill of the international community. For instance, we have offered to donate locally produced H1N1 vaccines valued at US$5 million. Also, when Haiti was struck by a major earthquake earlier this year, we immediately dispatched medical supplies and medical teams to help with relief work. Our contributions include treating over 2,500 individuals, providing materials and funding worth US$16 million and donating 1,200 emergency housing units. World Vision Taiwan, a non-governmental organization, will be able to support over 8,000 homeless children and orphans in Haiti with the funds it has raised.

Taking part in WHO activities is of great significance in our work to safeguard our people’s lives and safety. With that in mind, we are seeking to expand our participation in WHO meetings, mechanisms and activities, especially regarding the following:

1. Expert and technical meetings

As things now stand, we must apply each time we wish to attend a WHO meeting. Also, the WHO only provides us with limited notice of these events, inhibiting our ability to take part. We call on the global health body to simplify its application procedures and provide us with more information on its meetings.

2. Western Pacific Regional Office

Located in the Asia-Pacific region, Taiwan has frequent contact with nations that are under the auspices of the Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO). As work to prevent the spread of disease in the region affects all of these countries, our absence from the WPRO is regrettable.

3. International Food Safety Authorities Network

In January 2010, we established the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA). We are looking for the TFDA to be invited to participate in the International Food Safety Authorities Network using the model employed to have Taiwan’s CDC become a party to the IHR, as this would help ensure food safety for our 23 million people.

Anticipating that the WHO and its member states will support the above requests, Taiwan will continue to comply with international norms and cooperate with WHO member states in contributing to the international community.

ENDS

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