How the World Health Organization works with all people, everywhere

In recent months, we have noticed misunderstandings on social media and news media about how WHO is managing global public health issues. In particular, there are many questions regarding Taiwan, China. Some people confuse WHO’s technically global public health mandate with countries’ mandate to determine WHO membership. The countries decide that. The WHO Secretariat focuses on protecting the world.

WHO is working to promote health all people, everywhereIn fact, one of our main goals is Universal Health Coverage. #healthforall. We are an organization staffed with physicians, scientists, researchers and public health professionals who are dedicated to serving all people regardless of nationality, race, nationality, religion, gender.

This includes the people of Taiwan. We serve them through regular interactions with their professionals and authorities on vital public health issues. This has been the case for many years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is understandable that some people might think that the composition of WHO membership is affecting our ability to preserve the world. It is important to understand how we are governed and how we operate in practice.

WHO is part of the United Nations, whose membership is the mandate of countries. In 1971, the countries of the world participating in the United Nations General Assembly recognized the People’s Republic of China as the “sole legal representative of China”, in fact, the policy of one China. This is contained in UNGA Resolution 2758. In 1972, the World Health Assembly decided in resolution 25.1 WHA to follow this.

Each year, members have the opportunity to discuss important proposals during the World Health Assembly, in which WHO policies and policies are decided. For example, at various times, some countries have suggested that Taiwan authorities give it a special status – the observation status of the annual World Health Assembly.

There have been 14 times in the last 22 years (1997-2006; and 2008, 2017, 2018, 2019), when countries debated whether a delegation from Taiwan could attend the World Health Assembly as an observer. Each time, the countries decided against it by consensus – except in 1997 and 2004 when there were votes: (with 128 votes to 19 in 1997; and 133 votes to 25 in 2004). In 2007, the issue was not observer status but membership, and countries decided against it by counting the vote from 148 to 17.

There were cases where it was clear that there was general support from WHO countries for Taiwan to take the place of the observer in the World Health Assembly. Between 2009 and 2016, she did it under the name “Chinese Taipei.”

However, having a seat in the WHA or not having a seat in the WHA does not in any way affect whether an area or population benefits from the expertise and guidance of the WHO. WHO helps all people, everywhere.

WHO and Taiwan health experts work with vital public health and scientific issues throughout the year, in accordance with well-established arrangements.

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, interactions have been intensified both through existing channels and through new ones.

Here’s an example of WHO and Taiwan interactions about the coronavirus pandemic:

– There is an established point of contact (POC) for international health regulations for Taiwan. The Taiwan POC receives IHR communications (2005), provides updates on IHR information from Taiwan directly to WHO headquarters, and has access to the IHR Event Information Web Site (EIS). EIS is a password protected database and IHR-enabled data exchange platform. It is a well-established platform for all IHR communications, back and forth, between WHO and IHR contact.

– Taiwanese health experts participate in two key World Health Organization networks established in January 2020 to support WHO’s work on a global response to COVID-19. Three experts from Taiwan are part of the WHO Infection Prevention and Control Network: two are part of the WHO Clinical Network. Each week, they are joined by about 60 to 80 other experts from around the world through a WHO-hosted teleconference, working to advance our knowledge and guidance in this response.

– Two Taiwanese public health experts participated in the Global Forum for Research and Innovation organized by WHO on February 11 and 12, 2020. They, along with other global scientists, participated in discussing critical research issues and finding ways to work together work to advance progress response.

– Taiwan’s field training program is a member of the Network of Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions (also known as “TEPHINET”). WHO shares alerts and requests for assistance with TEPHINET, the Global Alert and Response Network, and these messages are transmitted to TEPHINET members.

– WHO provided technical guidance directly to Taiwanese health authorities and offered again.

– Taiwanese health professionals and authorities have open access to development, guidance and other materials through the WHO website (www.who.int) and other digital platforms.

– They can access www.OpenWHO.org a platform that provides open online courses for decision makers and responsible people around the world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of OpenWHO reached more than 1 million.

– WHO has a designated contact point with their Geneva office. Through this channel, general questions are addressed and when technical concerns arise, WHO technical responses are coordinated.

– WHO is also working with the Taiwanese health authorities through the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

Most importantly, the number of COVID-19 cases in Taiwan is low relative to the population. We continue to closely monitor developments and WHO provides lessons from all areas.

Interactions with Taiwan during the response to the pandemic are not exceptional. Here are some examples of regular interactions with Taiwanese health authorities and WHO over many years through well-established arrangements and through many different global health issues:

• During 2019, Taiwanese experts were invited to 9 WHO technical meetings. They attended 8 of these meetings, participating in WHO expert processes on issues including immunization, drug-resistant TB, assistive technologies, vaccine safety, and SDG goals on NCDs and mental health. Prior to the Covid-19 ambulance, work is underway to increase the participation of experts from Taiwan in 2020.

• Against influenza, the Taiwanese vaccine manufacturer Adimmune is contributing to the WHO Pandemic Flu Preparedness Framework (PIP Framework) and preparations are underway to conclude an agreement between WHO and Adimmune under the PIP for influenza vaccines against pandemic influenza vaccines;

• In the fight against cancer, experts from Taiwan contributed to key publications published by the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer;

• To support international health regulations, an IHR expert has been appointed an expert from Taiwan; and

• On a number of other issues, from WHO pre-qualification practices for pharmaceutical manufacturers to malaria, there are exchanges with WHO on practical and technical issues.

It is fair to say that the contributions of Taiwanese health professionals to the WHO and their interactions with us are well-developed and broad-based. And these interactions add value to WHO work and global health.