Taiwan could make a big contribution to the WHO if given more of a chance to participate in the body, despite the fact that the nation is not a member of the international body, President Chen Shui-bian (
"In an age of globalization, exchanges across national borders have become prevalent and the issue of public health is closely linked to everybody's lives," Chen said. "As a member of the global village, Taiwan has the responsibility and duty to make a more enterprising contribution to the safety of mankind and the health of the international community."
As the WHO had just elected its new director-general, Margaret Chan (陳馮富珍), the former director of Hong Kong's Department of Health, Chen said that he would like to offer his most sincere congratulations.
In addition to calling for the public to support the six issues Chan aspires to address during her term of office, Chen pledged that the nation would work concertedly with the international health agency to improve the health of mankind.
Chen made the remarks while addressing a leaders' forum on global health at National Taiwan University Hospital's International Convention Center in Taipei.
Although Taiwan was forced to leave the WHO in 1972, Chen said that the country had never faltered in its efforts to participate in global health initiatives. The nation has overcome many hurdles over the years and developed its own national health insurance program.
The nation's search and rescue team has received much international recognition for offering immediate assistance at the scene of disasters. Some of the most recent examples were Southeast Asia's devastating tidal waves, Middle Asia's earthquake and the Philippine mudslide.
Medical cooperation projects with diplomatic allies had also received much kudos. They included the polio prevention program in Gambia, the AIDS prevention program in Malawi, the improvement of medical equipment in Swaziland and the malaria and cholera prevention efforts in Sao Tome and Principe.
In a bid to more aggressively participate in global health affairs, Chen said the nation established the Taiwan International Health Action (Taiwan IHA) in March last year.
Chen said that the nation was happy to share its experience and enthusiasm with the international community and hoped to play a more active part.
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