bill fan
Three years of the COVID-19 pandemic have caused terrible loss of life and exacerbated health inequalities. The global economy has slumped, and people's lives around the world have been affected. This experience has proven that current global health governance frameworks are not effective in responding to global health threats. Although COVID-19 is no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and trade and economic activity has returned to normal globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that Disease Warning against the threat of a pandemic. Therefore, it is important that countries around the world come together to strengthen health governance.
The WHO and many countries have begun considering response strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The weaknesses of the International Health Regulations (2005) in managing this crisis have been exposed. As a result, change is occurring. The proposed changes include enhanced monitoring, reporting and information sharing. Improving response preparedness. The criteria for declaring a PHEIC have been revised. At the same time, there are active discussions around a new pandemic agreement that aims to create a strong global pandemic governance framework based on accountability, transparency and fairness. It may be approved at the 77th World Health Assembly.
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Since Taiwan is not a member state of the WHO, it cannot directly influence the amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) or the draft Pandemic Agreement. Nevertheless, we remain deeply concerned about the content of and developments in these core documents. We want to provide insights into pandemic management and learn from international best practices. Taiwan was the first country to identify the risk of infectious diseases and quickly take adaptation measures. Taiwan also actively shares important information with global partners and has earned public trust through its commitment to openness. This was essential for effective implementation of pandemic policies. To deal with future pandemics, we will work to refine our approaches to acquiring vaccines, managing health resources, leveraging technology, protecting human rights, and combating misinformation.
We strongly support the passage and implementation of the amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) and the Pandemic Agreement. We call on the WHO to include Taiwan as a signatory to these documents. This will enable us to collaborate in monitoring new virus strains, reporting and exchanging diagnostic data on pathogens, and sharing the results of new vaccine and antiviral research and clinical trials. This will further facilitate collective global action against future pandemics and strengthen the international community's efforts to fight pandemics more resiliently.
We further urge the WHO to support Taiwan's inclusion in global health oversight. Taiwan remains committed to participating based on the principles of professionalism, pragmatism and contribution. Taiwan aims to work with the WHO to narrow geographic disparities in global health security and build a comprehensive global health framework.
The WHO's Council on the Economics of Health for All found that at least 140 countries recognize health as a fundamental human right in their constitutions. Despite this, many countries have not passed or implemented laws to ensure that their citizens have access to health services. In line with WHO recommendations, Taiwan has consistently improved the quality of healthcare over the past few decades, working towards achieving universal health coverage. Taiwan has effectively integrated and allocated social welfare resources to strengthen primary and oral health care, implement mental health programs, and strengthen social safety nets for all. Taiwan has implemented an agile and resilient health system that can deal with both communicable and non-communicable diseases. We improve the health of everyone throughout their lifespan. Additionally, Taiwan strives to share its experience and expertise in achieving universal health coverage to help the international community achieve health for all.
The theme of World Health Day 2024 is “My Health, My Rights”. This will ensure that all individuals, everywhere, have access to quality health services, education and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, adequate nutrition, quality housing and decent working conditions. It is a way to enable people to enjoy freedom from environmental conditions and from society. discrimination.
Through public-private partnerships, Taiwan has contributed to global efforts to realize the right to health in collaboration with partner countries and international organizations. We are improving health care in a small island nation in the South Pacific, strengthening nutrition for earthquake-affected women and children in Haiti, and providing psychological support to Ukrainian refugee women and children and aid workers in Romania. We have provided it. Strengthening adaptation to climate change in the Caribbean region. Access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in Kenyan health facilities has improved. Additionally, Taiwan has provided humanitarian assistance through post-disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts, helping people overcome disasters in the Philippines, Japan, Hawaii, Turkey, and Indonesia.
Taiwan believes that health is a human right. However, the rights of Taiwan's 23 million people are ignored by the WHO for political reasons. Taiwan remains a steadfast partner in protecting the right to health for all people, everywhere. We call on WHO and all stakeholders to recognize Taiwan's significant contributions to global public health and the human right to health. It is imperative that WHO adopts a more open-minded approach and demonstrates flexibility, adhering to the principles of professionalism and inclusiveness. Taiwan, as a matter of pragmatism, should be included in all meetings, activities and mechanisms of the World Health Assembly and WHO, especially those related to the WHO Pandemic Agreement. This will enable Taiwan to work with global partners to uphold the fundamental human right to health as enshrined in the WHO Charter and the vision of “leaving no one behind” as enshrined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It will be.
Bill Huang is the director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Denver, which serves as the de facto consulate general of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. plays the role of
