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WHA participation benefits Taiwan, world: health minister

ROC Central News Agency

2009.05.20 19:32:19

By Y.C. Jou, Chen Ching-fang and Sofia Wu

Geneva, May 20 (CNA) Taiwan's participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA) not only benefits the country's people but is also in the best interests of everyone around the world, Department of Health Minister Yeh Ching-chuan said in Geneva Tuesday.

Yeh made the remarks in a brief speech delivered at a plenary session of the 62nd World Health Assembly, which opened Monday and will run until Friday.

Yeh was the first Taiwanese health minister to ever address a United Nations-affiliated formal event since the Republic of China lost its U.N. membership in 1971.

After 12 failed attempts, Taiwan was invited to attend the WHA this year for the first time as an observer under the designation "Chinese Taipei." The invitation was widely seen as the result of improving relations across the Taiwan Strait over the past year under President Ma Ying-jeou's pragmatic policy of engagement with China.

In the past, China relentlessly blocked Taiwan's presence in any U.N.-affiliated activities for fear of giving the wrong impression that it recognized Taiwan's statehood.

Yeh said in his four-minute speech, delivered in English, that the participation of Taiwan in the WHA -- the decision-making arm of the World Health Organization (WHO) -- is imperative, as the world is witnessing the threat of a possible swine flu pandemic.

"In a world where diseases transcend national borders, international health affairs require broader multilateral cooperation, " Yeh said, adding that only by uniting can the countries of the world be capable of fighting transnational health threats.

Noting that the WHO has served as a pivotal and reliable platform for international health matters, Yeh said Taiwan's health professionals cherish this opportunity to work alongside their counterparts from around the world.

"I thank you again for giving us the opportunity to benefit from the collective wisdom of this organization and in return to make our contribution," Yeh said.

Describing Taiwan as an international forerunner in viral hepatitis control, tobacco control and e-health, Yeh said the inclusion of Taiwan in WHO activities will undoubtedly strengthen the world's ability to deal with public health emergencies.

In the face of the swine flu threat, Yeh went on, Taiwan has mobilized its biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries to join the campaign against swine flu, officially known as influenza A(H1N1).

"We are willing to share with you our new advances and experiences. I have full confidence that united, we can meet the challenges of this pandemic flu," Yeh added.

The minister further noted that Taiwan has already joined the International Health Regulations (IHR) network since January this year.

"This is a significant step forward for Chinese Taipei's management and control of communicable diseases. And for the world, there will be one less breach in the WHO's line of defense against the pandemic flu," he said.

Yeh also held bilateral talks Tuesday with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, Czech Republic Health Minister Dana Juraskova, who represents the European Union, and China's Minister of Health Chen Zhu on the sidelines of the WHA.