Taiwan and WHO

Lung-chu Chen

　　The World Health Organization (WHO) began its annual assembly on May 14 in Geneva, but Taiwan’s attempt to become an observer was quickly rejected.  The World Health Assembly’s steering committee decided again not to include Taiwan’s observer issue in the assembly agenda.

      It was disappointing and distressing that China was again allowed to dictate the outcome.  The decision not to consider the request for making Taiwan an observer was contrary to the fundamental purposes of WHO.  To maintain the highest possible standard of health for all humankind and to fulfill the right of health for every person are the basic purposes of WHO.  By all humankind of course is meant to include the 23 million people of Taiwan.

      Taiwan needs WHO, and WHO needs Taiwan.  Taiwan needs to be part of WHO’s global network in combating communicable and other diseases.  On the other hand, WHO can benefit from Taiwan’s participation, because Taiwan is willing and able to make significant contributions in public health and related areas.

      There are growing signs of encouragement for Taiwan.  More countries are in support of Taiwan.  The U.S. Congress strongly supports Taiwan’s participation in WHO, and the Administration should not be far behind.  Above all, the Team Taiwan, consisting of the government, NGOs and concerned individuals, has doubled, and will continue to fortify, its campaign to participate in the WHO.

(The writer is Chairman of Lung-chu Chen New Century Foundation and a Professor at New York Law School.)