The strong support for Taiwan’s participation in activities, mechanisms and meetings of the World Health Organization by leading international medical organizations is sincerely appreciated by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 2.
In a letter to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Medical Association President Leonid Eidelman and WMA Council Chairperson Ardis Hoven called for Taiwan’s observer status in the World Health Assembly—the decision-making body of the WHO—to be restored for the 72nd edition of the annual gathering May 20-28 in Geneva.
All countries and territories should be able to take part in and benefit from the work of the WHO, Eidelman and Hoven wrote on behalf of the WMA, which represents 114 national associations around the globe. Taiwan’s participation is a matter of health not politics, they said.
In a news release, Eidelman added that “the millions of Taiwanese people deserve their health interests to be represented.”
European Medical Association President Vincenzo Costigliola similarly conveyed support for Taiwan’s involvement in the WHO through a letter to Ghebreyesus and Anne Bucher, director-general of the EU health and food safety agency. Health is a universal human right and should not be pegged to politics, he wrote.
Also voicing support for Taiwan is the Standing Committee of European Doctors. The organization wrote to Romanian Minister of Health Sorina Pintea, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council through June 30, and European Commission medical officials urging them to back Taiwan’s WHA attendance.
According to the MOFA, these statements from leading international physicians’ organizations underscore the significance of Taiwan’s involvement in WHO activities, mechanisms and meetings. The ministry urged the WHO to heed the calls of these renowned medical bodies and facilitate Taiwan’s meaningful participation. (CPY-E)
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