Posted: Friday, May 21, 2021. 11:03 am CST.
The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize News.
By Lizett Bell RN,BSN,MSN
Chief Nursing Officer, Belize
The COVID-19 Pandemic has transformed global health in such a way that if countries are to overcome this major challenge it must be in unity and an inclusive approach. All countries should be able to share best practices and learn from each other to establish a systematic approach to resolving and exiting this pandemic progressively. The Taiwan Model, based on our democratic experience of COVID-19 containment, has come to set an excellent example for the rest of the world. The government of Taiwan has earned global recognition and acclaim for the series of actions it has taken to show that “Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping.” The pandemic has further strengthened international affirmation of the importance and imperative need for Taiwan to participate in global cooperation mechanisms for disease prevention, leading to unprecedented support for its participation in WHO. During the two WHA sessions held in May and November 2020, exhortations for WHO to welcome Taiwan into its fold came from leaders and high-level government officials of numerous countries, including the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden, as well as more than 1,700 parliamentarians of more than 80 countries. International media also published numerous reports and articles supporting Taiwan. These developments reflect a significant increase in Taiwan’s international visibility and the growing support it has received.
The SARS outbreak of 2003 was a learning experience for Taiwan and its government was serious about building capacity to respond to new emerging respiratory diseases and potential pandemics. The establishment of the National Health Command Center (NHCC) which is inclusive of various commissions was activated and implementation of its holistic approach to the management of potential outbreak commenced. Taiwan optimized its strengths in technology and used it in surveillance through the integration of health data from the National Health Insurance, immigration, and customs data which assisted in the rapid case identification and response to the COVID-19. Furthermore, in responding to pandemics economics and public health must co-exist, Taiwan immediately realized that the population will need access to mask as a prevention measure so the institutionalization of a control price on the mask was enacted as a means of protecting its population and ensuring access to a key commodity. The success of this pandemic and any other is dependent on countries’ ability to respond in a coordinated and cohesive manner and setting up systems that work based on the country context that is sensitive to the value system of each country. No country can fight an epidemic alone. International cooperation is the only path to epidemic prevention and control. Taiwan is willing and able to serve as an indispensable partner in the international community’s recovery efforts. In the spirit of playing a professional, pragmatic, and constructive role, Taiwan remains committed to seeking institutionalized participation in World Health Organization (WHO). If it succeeds, many more countries will stand to benefit, and WHO and the international community will be even more effective in their collaborative efforts to contain COVID-19.
Taiwan’s participation in WHO
Taiwan has demonstrated its potential to positively impact public health and in the current global pandemic, Taiwan has managed to control its outbreak of COVID-19. Taiwan took the lead in reporting information to WHO via the International Health Regulations (IHR) mechanism and continues to do so. They have demonstrated their commitment to global safety and security. Not including Taiwan in WHO is a risk and creating vulnerability within the Asia-Pacific region and the world. Diseases do not know borders and with constant global travel, countries remain at risk for outbreaks and pandemic control. Taiwan is unable to comprehensively participate in the WHO-led multilateral public health system and network, which creates the risk of Taiwan becoming a gap in the global fight against COVID-19.
Taiwan can contribute and provide scientific evidence to support advanced interventions in the management of health programs and networks in which other WHO member states can be beneficiaries. If we are serious about ensuring that we achieve universal access and coverage by 2030 then we must embrace all countries and provide the relevant support. Taiwan has been successful in achieving universal coverage and access with its successful National Health Insurance system that reduces inequities and improves efficiencies in health care. Taiwan is a stalwart in creating a health system that is functional for all its constituents. WHO member states can have access through a coordinated mechanism and can tailor the Taiwan model of care to its country context.
Global health and global solidarity are the only means for countries to defeat pandemics. Low and middle-income countries like Belize have benefitted greatly from Taiwan in various sectors but more so in health. Taiwan has contributed to the training of Human Resources for Health, in areas of nursing, radiology, and medicine, etc. They have shared knowledge and strategies about the prevention and control measures for COVID-19. Taiwan has assisted several countries in the Latin America and Caribbean region with personal protective equipment to safeguard the healthcare workers. Therefore, it is empirical for Taiwan to be included in the WHO to be able to effectively contribute to the global health strategies.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic has again reminded people worldwide that disease transcends across countries quicker than one may expect. Having previously been left isolated and helpless during numerous epidemics, Taiwan has realized the importance of mutual support and wishes to work hand in hand with WHO and other nations to overcome such formidable challenges. Taiwan stands by its commitment to participate in international healthcare cooperation and again urges WHO to maintain a professional and neutral stance, and invite Taiwan to attend the WHA as an Observer. Only the democratically elected government of Taiwan can represent its 23.5 million people at WHO and protect their health rights. Therefore, we request for WHO to seek an appropriate avenue for institutionalized participation by Taiwan in all WHO meetings, mechanisms, and activities. Taiwan is also looking to its international friends in all sectors to strongly support Taiwan’s participation in the global health network and facilitate its further contributions in the post-pandemic era.
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