José María Liu
Representative / Taipei Economic and Cultural Office
As the world moves beyond the covid-19 pandemic and most border restrictions are lifted, countries around the world are stepping up efforts to restore global health and well-being and promote the realisation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Republic of China (Taiwan) fully supports the health-related SDGs, and is willing and able to share its experience in creating a cross-sectoral and innovative health approach to help the international community work towards the realisation of such health and wellbeing-related goals.
During the covid-19 pandemic, Taiwan’s anti-pandemic response model included advanced deployment and rapid response mechanisms, border control policies, coordinated distribution of medical resources and a patient transfer system to prevent and contain the pandemic at a time when vaccines and antiviral drugs were not available. For their part, the Taiwanese people played a key role in the success of Taiwan’s anti-pandemic model by wearing masks, practising social distancing, avoiding crowded areas, following quarantine rules and vaccination. Compared to the 38 member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) plus Singapore, Taiwan ranks sixth lowest in covid-19 mortality and case fatality rates. Taiwan also ranks fourth in terms of coverage rates of at least one dose of covid-19 vaccine, and third in terms of booster vaccines administered.
In 1995, Taiwan established Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI), an effective universal coverage system. Since then, the government has continued to provide health and disease prevention services so that people of all ages can enjoy their right to health. It is an excellent example of universal health coverage, providing financial protection and access to a wide range of essential services. The covid-19 pandemic helped the international community recognise the importance of regional cooperation and digitalisation in healthcare. Taiwan is committed to promoting digital health and innovation to improve the accessibility and quality of healthcare services, including plans for a next-generation NHI programme.
Yet Taiwan has not been invited to the World Health Assembly since 2017. Now that the covid-19 pandemic is waning and dialogue on strengthening health systems around the world is accelerating, Taiwan should not be left out. Taiwan can help, and Taiwan’s inclusion would make the world healthier, more sustainable and more equitable.
Taiwan urges the WHO and all relevant stakeholders to support its inclusion in the World Health Assembly as an observer, as well as its full participation in WHO meetings, mechanisms and activities. Taiwan will continue to work with the world to help ensure the fundamental right to health enshrined in the WHO Constitution. In the spirit of the SDGs, no country should be left behind, especially Taiwan, which has made significant contributions to global public health.
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