Jun 15, 2007

Taiwan: Included in WHO Crises Protocol


The World Health Organization’s Assistant Director General has told journalists that Taiwan will be included in a new global protocol on cross-border medical emergencies.

The World Health Organization’s Assistant Director General has told journalists that Taiwan will be included in a new global protocol on cross-border medical emergencies.

Below is an article published by the International Herald Tribune:

The World Health Organization said Thursday [14 June 2007] it will work with China to ensure that Taiwan is included in a revised global protocol aimed at dealing with cross-border medical emergencies.

A revision of the rules, known as the International Health Regulations, comes into force Friday [15 June 2007], obliging WHO members to strengthen their detection and response to public health risks that could spread internationally.

Taiwan is not a member of the WHO and technically may not be included in the program. But David Heymann, the WHO assistant director general, told reporters during a visit to Malaysia that Taiwan will not be excluded from the regulations.

"We work with the government of China to be sure Taiwan has the representation it needs and also the support from WHO that it needs," Heymann said.

Taiwan has tried unsuccessfully for years to gain observer status within WHO, against the wishes of China, which regards the island as part of its territory.

At present, all official communication between WHO and the self-ruled island must be addressed to China, and Taiwan argues that efforts to deal with medical emergencies — and participate in the global health monitoring system — are hampered.

WHO officials said Thursday [14 June 2007] that representatives from Taiwan periodically attend WHO meetings at China's request, and WHO officials worked in Taiwan during the SARS outbreak.

"We do not intend to leave any country or area out of representation for the International Health Regulations," Tee Ah Sian, WHO director of communicable disease control in its Western Pacific Region office, told a news conference.

"Communication between WHO and Taiwan, or for that matter any part of China, will not be jeopardized," Tee said.

Countries are allowed five years under the updated International Health Regulations to develop their capacities, but they can have an extension.

The plan calls for countries to notify WHO of all events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern. It also requires inspection and control activities at designated international airports, ports and border crossings to prevent the spread of diseases.

"When these International Health Regulations are implemented ... they will ensure the world of having public health security," Heymann said.

He said the WHO will also form partnerships with various nongovernment and government groups to help poorer countries that have difficulty in creating the infrastructure to deal with international medical emergencies.