Taipei, In response to the core spirit of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) theme " Reshaping Global Health: A Shared Responsibility," all 21 professional medical societies in Taiwan gathered today to hold the joint press conference, collectively called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to acknowledge Taiwan's contributions to global health and invite Taiwan to participate as an observer in this year's World Health Assembly.
The 79th WHA
will be convened in Geneva on May 18. Taiwan has not received an invitation yet
and it will mark its tenth consecutive absence. In the face of global public
health challenges in the post-pandemic era, health is no longer an issue
confined to a single country or a single professional field. Rather, it is a
responsibility that the entire world must face together. Today, the Taiwan
Medical Association, together with Taiwan’s 21 major healthcare associations,
held the international press conference “Reshaping Global Health: A Shared
Responsibility.” Representing Taiwan’s healthcare professionals, they spoke out
to the international community, calling on the world to recognize Taiwan’s
substantive contributions to healthcare, public health, and humanitarian
assistance, and to support Taiwan’s participation in the resilient global
health system in a professional, pragmatic, and contributive manner.
Health is a fundamental
human right and an essential foundation for global sustainable development. In
recent years, challenges ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing
burden of non-communicable diseases to population aging and the multifaceted
health impacts of climate change have shown that the global health system must
continue to adapt and strengthen. At this critical turning point, the
experience and capacity of any country or
professional society should not be excluded from international
cooperation networks.
The World Medical Association (WMA), which represents physicians from 118 countries around the world and has millions of members, recently sent a letter to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, once again calling for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) and the WHO. The letter stated that there must be no blind spots on the global health map, and that Taiwan has long performed well in public health, universal health coverage, and pandemic preparedness. The continued exclusion of Taiwan is counterproductive and potentially dangerous for future global health security. The WMA specifically urged the WHO to grant Taiwan observer status at the WHA, to ensure Taiwan’s participation in all WHO health programs and technical meetings on a substantive, timely, and professional basis, and to include Taiwan as a fully participating party to the International Health Regulations (IHR) and the implementation of the Pandemic Treaty.
Taiwan has a high-quality
healthcare system, a national health insurance with universal health coverage,
and a well-established public health infrastructure. It has also accumulated
extensive achievements in infectious disease prevention and control, digital
health, community healthcare, and international medical cooperation,
demonstrating its professional capacity and international responsibility
through concrete actions over time. Disease knows no borders. Only by allowing
all capable and willing partners to participate can global health governance
become more comprehensive and to meet future challenges effectively. Taiwan’s
professional medical societies will continue to uphold professionalism,
actively participate in international cooperation, and contribute to the health
of all humanity.
At this international
press conference, Taiwan’s 21 professional medical societies not only jointly
expressed their support for and commitment to global health cooperation, but
also unanimously called on the international community to recognize Taiwan’s
role and value in the global health system and to support Taiwan’s
participation in international health affairs. This will allow Taiwan’s
professional experience to be shared with the world, as we work together to
build a healthier, safer, and more resilient future.
Taiwan’s 21 professional
medical societies reaffirm that reshaping global health is a collective
responsibility, not just for a few, and that Taiwan will always be present in
this effort.