Taiwan Not Represented At World Health Assembly

In just a few short months, The World Health Organization is hosting its seventy-seventh World Health Assembly where delegations from all Member States convene to determine the organization’s policies, appoint the Director-General, and review and approve the proposed program budget. The assembly, which will be held from May twenty-seventh to June first, will include its one hundred ninety-four member states, including Belize. However, the Government of Belize says Taiwan should also be included in the activities. In a recent statement, the Ministry of Health and Wellness reiterated its full support for Taiwan’s right to participate and the benefits that their inclusion would present. According to the ministry, Taiwan has played an essential role in the health of Belizeans by assisting in emergency response efforts, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, and in updating and upgrading health electronic systems. The ministry maintains that many countries globally could learn from Taiwan’s great contributions to the health and wellness sectors and therefore, considers Taiwan’s participation in the assembly imperative. The ministry concluded the statement with a call for action, urging the organization to allow Taiwan to be included in all health emergency-related meetings and mechanisms to ensure that true solidarity and collaboration continues in health, globally.