At today's Cabinet meeting, Premier Lin Chuan commended Taiwan's World Health Assembly (WHA) action team for highlighting the importance of Taiwan's medical and health care expertise at the 2017 WHA in Geneva last month.
After hearing a briefing of the action team's work, the premier said it was extremely regrettable that Taiwan was unable to formally participate at this year's assembly due to pressure by mainland China. But because health is a basic human right, and the world cannot afford to allow a gap in the global disease control network, the government still sent a team to Geneva to underscore the imperative of including Taiwan in the global public health and safety system.
The team, led by Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung, met intensively with other countries and international organizations on the sidelines of the WHA, even organizing forums on national health insurance and disease prevention. The premier thanked the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for their efforts to protect the basic health rights of the people of Taiwan.
Since Taiwan is recognized around the world for its high level of public health and medical care, the premier hopes to use medical diplomacy to turn Taiwan's new international situation into new opportunities. He encouraged the MOHW, MOFA and other agencies to continue striving for Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) as it would safeguard citizens' right to health while making meaningful contributions to global health.
Pushing for WHO participation requires a concerted effort by all sectors of society, the premier continued. This year, a private lobbying group and a medical students federation were among the groups that banded together to speak out for Taiwan. Premier Lin thanked everyone including the private sector for lending their passion and support to the cause.