World Medical Association pledges to support Taiwan’s WHO bid

• By Hollie Younger / Staff writer, with CNA

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The World Medical Association (WMA) last week reaffirmed a resolution passed in April to support Taiwan’s participation in all WHO programs and mechanisms related to the International Health Regulations (IHR).

The association held its 77th annual general assembly from Wednesday last week until Saturday in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The assembly considered the resolution, passed by the WMA Council in Belgrade in April, the Taiwan Medical Association (TMA) said in a news release yesterday.

The logo of the WHO is pictured at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on Jan. 28 last year.

Photo: Reuters

The WMA in April also sent an open letter to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, calling for the meaningful participation of Taiwan in the World Health Assembly.

“The continued exclusion of Taiwan is counterproductive and potentially dangerous for future global health security. Taiwan has consistently proven to be one of the WHO’s ‘best students’ in implementing public health measures, prevention strategies, and Universal Health Coverage,” it said in the letter.

It also said that “Taiwan possesses significant expertise and material resources that offer valuable support to the international community.”

The WMA’s assembly last week reaffirmed the resolution without objection, drawing applause from attending delegates, it said.

Under WMA regulations, a resolution that has been reaffirmed cannot be submitted for reconsideration within the next five years.

The assembly’s formal reaffirmation of the resolution demonstrated the international medical community’s support for Taiwan’s participation in the global health system and would allow the resolution to remain in effect over the coming years, the TMA said.

TMA secretary-general Chang Pi-cheng (張必正) represented the association at the assembly.

Chang launched a multilayered lobbying strategy ahead of the meeting, coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enlist Taiwan’s representative offices in like-minded countries to help promote the resolution, the TMA said.

He engaged with delegates from Europe, the US and across the Asia-Pacific region, it added.

Chang was further invited to a dinner hosted by the American Medical Association, which was attended by current and former presidents, it said.

He also consolidated resources from the World Organization of Family Doctors to ensure the strongest possible support from Taiwan’s diplomatic allies, it added.

TMA president Chen Hsiang-kuo (陳相國) said the WMA had long supported Taiwan’s participation in the global health system.

The reaffirmation also demonstrated the international medical community’s core values that health has no borders and no one should be left out of global health, he said.

The TMA said it would continue to strengthen exchanges with international medical associations through the WMA and other international medical organizations, while also advocating for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the World Health Assembly, the WHO and IHR-related mechanisms.