TO the dismay of 23 million Taiwanese people, Taiwan has not been invited to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA), which will be held from May 22-31 in Geneva. We urge the World Health Organisation (WHO) to abide by its constitution, respect Taiwanese people’s rights to global health information, and invite Taiwan to participate in the coming WHA.

Taiwan was devastated by the SARS outbreak in 2003, during which time more than 151,000 people were quarantined at home, hospitals and schools closed, many of the frontline health care workers became infected while caring for patients, and unfortunately some even perished, including a nurse who was already in her third trimester of pregnancy. Taiwan paid a heavy price and cannot afford to be left out again.

In light of this lesson, Taiwan’s public health officials finally received invitation to attend the WHO SARS conference in the post-SARS period. In 2009, we further established direct liaison with the WHO headquarters, which ever since has enabled Taiwan’s prompt sharing of findings and reporting of major public health events to the WHO. Our health ministers have also received invitation to attend and address the WHA in Geneva every May for the past eight years.

Taiwan has invested more than $6 billion in international medical and humanitarian aid that have benefited millions of people in more than 80 countries. Our medical experts and public health professionals have also worked tirelessly with international partners to improve global health environment. The heard-earned direct communication between Taiwan and the WHO should continue, carrying out its function by taking advantage of Taiwan’s experience and contribution.

Disease knows no borders, and the fight to prevent the spread of disease brooks no absence. The WHO’s constitution calls for the enjoyment of the highest standard of health regardless of race, religion and political belief. Taiwan should not be left behind. We need the WHO, but the WHO also needs Taiwan.

Jane Hsu,

Director General,

Taipei Representative Office in the UK Edinburgh Office,

1 Melville Street, Edinburgh.