We are writing to support for Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization(WHO). We are genuinely concerned about the Lack of representation of Taiwan in the WHO.
This year World Health Assembly (WHA) Meeting will be held on May 21. As usual, we will have a protest demonstration on Sunday May 20 at the streets of Geneva on behalf of Taiwan's bid to enter the WHO.
As a founding member of the WHO,Taiwan has made great contributions to the organization's objectives,especially in tropical medicine. Since 1972, Taiwan's health officials and medical professionals have been denied direct official contact with the WHO even in cases of emergency such as the SARS epidemic in 2003. Last year under China objection ,Taiwan again was not invited to attend WHA meeting.
Pandemics do not discriminate,nor do they know national boundaries.Taiwan has 23,5 million citizens and more than half million foreign nationals.Taiwan serves not only as an important hub of international human and cargo traffic,but also as a transit stopover of some 350 species of migratory birds. By excluding Taiwan from WHO, a gap has been created in the global health network. In addition,since 1995 Taiwan's successful experience in single payer system definitely can be shared in today's world health climate.
Most of us are inspired into healthcare field with passion and compassion to health for all. And our dream is to heal the sickness and promote the health of the world. We can not allow our dream to become a nightmare when safety net is broken as Taiwan is excluded from join WHO where creates dangerous health risk in world fair.
WHO is not a political organization nor does its member have veto power. Its highest principles and purposes as " Health for All" should include anyone to participate in world health affair since we firmly believe health care is universal basic human right. We sincerely ask for your help and support in Taiwan bid in coming WHA.
Your Truly,
Jung Tsai,MD,FACS
Chairman of General Surgery, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital at Rahway New Jersey