Mar 03, 2008

Taiwan: China Puts a Nation’s Health at Risk


The efforts of Taiwanese health officials to combat international epidemics and diseases are being frustrated by Chinese obfuscation.

The efforts of Taiwanese health officials to combat international epidemics and diseases are being frustrated by Chinese obfuscation.

Below is an article published by Radio Taiwan International:

China's opaque epidemic disease information mechanism has jeopardized Taiwan's disease prevention and control efforts, said Liu TE-shun, Vice Chairman of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council on Saturday. The council is Taiwan’s top China policy-maker.

Liu said China's covering up of the spread of infectious diseases not only has put the Taiwanese people's health at risk, but has also created a loophole in the global health information network.

Liu also said Taiwan has reported over 40 cases of infectious diseases that can be traced back to China since last year [2007].

Liu urged China to improve its epidemic disease information system. He also called on China to respect Taiwan's efforts to become a member of the World Health Organization (WHO).

China has been instrumental in blocking Taiwan's WHO membership, saying that it provides for the health needs of Taiwan.