President Tsai Ing-wen said Sep. 2 that the government is committed to expanding cooperation on health security in the Asia-Pacific.
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that a coordinated global response is key to successful disease-fighting efforts, Tsai said. To that end, the government will continue working closely with like-minded partners throughout the region to tackle public health challenges and improve health care quality, she added.
Tsai made the remarks while attending the 35th General Assembly of the Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania in Taipei City. Organized by locally headquartered Taiwan Medical Association, the event featured representatives from 19 member associations.
Other high-profile attendees at the event included Chiu Tai-Yuan, president of TMA and recently appointed president of CMAAO; CMAAO Secretary-General Dr. Sho Hashimoto and Council Chair Dr. Yeh Woei Chong; World Medical Association President Dr. David Barbe, Council Chair Dr. Frank Ulrich Montgomery and Secretary-General Dr. Otmar Kloiber; and Indian Medical Association National President Dr. J.A. Jayalal.
Taiwan has provided medical resources to countries around the world throughout the pandemic, Tsai said, adding the government has continued to host events under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework to share epidemic prevention experiences and vaccination strategies with partner countries.
Tsai also took the opportunity to express her gratitude to the CMAAO and WMA for providing a platform for Taiwan to share its coronavirus combating know-how with the world. Such staunch support ensures the country can do its part in maintaining global health security, she said.
Launched in June 2015 by Taiwan and the U.S. to build capacity and strengthen multilateral cooperation, GCTF has staged workshops spanning areas such as disaster relief, education, environmental protection, humanitarian assistance, public health and women’s empowerment. (DL-E)
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