In 2020, the world has been ravaging by COVID-19 and life for most of the world population changed drastically, except in Taiwan, which has only had about 500 cases and 7 deaths. Taiwan’s success in fighting COVID-19 has allowed its 3rd quarter growth to reach +3.33%, which is quite a feat, when the average economy is experiencing contractions. Taiwan’s ability to hold COVID-19 in check can be attributed to its rapid response measures, including the activation of the Central Epidemic Command Center, immediate increases in local production and distribution of PPE, implementation of strict border control, contact tracing, quarantine procedures, and ensuring open and transparent sharing of epidemic information.
After ensuring domestic supplies were met, Taiwan started to contribute medical equipment, PPE, and personnel to countries in urgent need, and cooperated with other democratic countries to develop reagents, drugs, and vaccines. Taiwan’s success in handling the situation and Taiwan’s willingness to help has drawn praise from the international community for the “Taiwan Model” and also highlighted the injustice of Taiwan being excluded from the World Health Organization (WHO), especially since democracies such as Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States have publicly supported Taiwan’s participation in the WHA!
The purpose of the WHO is to pursue the highest health standards for the world population, which is why we urge the WHO to set aside political reasons to defend their global health mission goals. As Taiwan is an international provider of emergency medical relief, training of medical professionals, epidemic donations, and professional standards in medical and epidemic prevention, Taiwan’s vast, in-depth experience would be an invaluable asset to the global population. If Taiwan is included in the global epidemic prevention system, the WHO's epidemic prevention efforts would be more effective.
We implore the WHO to listen to the just voices of the international community, observe professional neutrality, and invite Taiwan to join the WHO so that Taiwan can contribute its resources and experiences to aid the WHO in achieving its mission of improving global health. We are at a critical juncture and it is imperative for Taiwan to be able to meaningfully join the WHO and participate in the WHA.
Pofu Hsieh, DDSNATMA National president
Co-signed supporting groups (As of November 6, 2020, a total of 21 groups co-signed:
Taiwanese American Council of Greater New York
Taiwan Center, Inc
Democratic Progressive Party – US East Coast Chapter
North American Taiwanese Medical Association
Taiwanese American Association of New York
The Taiwanese Association of America Northern New Jersey Chapter
Taiwanese Association of America-New Jersey Chapter
Taiwanese Association of America-Greater Philadelphia
Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of New York
Hakka Association of NY Inc.
The Union of Taiwan Universities and Colleges Alumni Associations of Greater New York
Emergency Assistance Association -Greater Philadelphia
North America Taiwanese Women’s Association - New York Chapter
Gheelan Association of USA
New York Taiwanese Evergreen Senior Citizens Association Inc.
Taiwan Studies Inc.
FAPA NY-Metro Chapter
American Chinese Environmental Protection Association
Greater New York Taiwanese Emergency Assistance Association
The Association of New Jersey Chinese Schools
Taiwan Pingtung Association of America, Inc.
