Politics

Taiwan delegation returns from fruitful WHA

ROC Health Minister Chiu Wen-ta delivers an address on Taiwan’s health care May 24 at the European Institute for Asian Studies in Brussels. (CNA)

• Publication Date：05/28/2012
• Source： Taiwan Today

Taiwan’s delegation to the 65th session of the World Health Assembly introduced the nation’s medical care, consulted with officials from other countries and furthered bilateral cooperation, ROC Health Minister Chiu Wen-ta said May 26.

Chiu made the comments while thanking members of the delegation, which he led, upon their return to Taiwan from Geneva, Switzerland, where the gathering was held May 21 to 26.

Taiwan has participated in the WHA as an observer for the past four years, and this year’s delegation, made up of 16 experts, was the country’s largest to date, Chiu said.

On May 23 Chiu delivered a speech at the WHA in which he shared Taiwan’s experience with its National Health Insurance, introduced the financial pressures the system is currently facing, and described the second-generation reforms to be implemented in the near future.

He also urged the member states of the World Health Organization to expand Taiwan’s participation in the WHO’s other meetings and activities.

On the sidelines of the WHA, the Taiwan delegation, with the help of the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held bilateral consultations with top health officials from 10 major nations and regional groupings, including the EU and the U.S., to discuss food safety, infectious diseases, drug review, health insurance, medical personnel exchanges and other issues, according to Chiu.

Chiu headed to Brussels, Belgium, May 24 to forge an agreement with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Consumers on expanding bilateral cooperation in medical and health technology, pharmaceuticals and vaccines.

While in Brussels, Chiu also delivered a speech on health care for Taiwan’s disadvantaged groups at the European Institute for Asian Studies, a policy and research think tank supported by the EU.

He suggested that Taiwan continue working to gain greater participation in the WHO through consultations and the support of its diplomatic allies. The government should also integrate the international humanitarian assistance provided by different ministries and agencies, he said.

Other recommendations he put forward included establishing an organization similar to the U.S.-based Global Health Initiatives, as well as supporting medical exchanges with other nations.

The upcoming Taiwan Health Forum in November should also be actively promoted, with health ministers, top officials and academics from around the globe being invited to attend, Chiu said.

He also called for organizations and individuals across all sectors of society to contribute to Taiwan’s “health diplomacy” so as to effectively boost the country’s substantive health and medical exchanges with the rest of the world. (SB-THN)