THERE is no doubt, that the friendship between the government and people of Taiwan and the government and people of St. Lucia is bearing much ‘fruit’. And we must complement the Taiwanese Ambassador, Peter Chen, and members of his Taiwanese team for ‘germinating and rearing’ the friendship to the extent that St. Lucia is presently experiencing a beacon of light and hope.
I have said before and continue to say that Taiwan has assisted and continues to promote the Sustainable Development Goals of the World Health Organization (WHO) in St. Lucia, other Caribbean countries, and, indeed, the whole world.
Indeed, Taiwan has introduced a National Health Insurance (NHI), which is a prime example of Universal Health well-being, that shows clearly Taiwan’s expertise in health matters. Taiwan could be considered as a ‘World Health Guru’.
In St. Lucia, the native people, especially those who have benefitted or are still benefitting from Taiwanese medical assistance, have considered Taiwan as a very close friend.
Indeed, as I write, scores of students are studying medicine in Taiwan. The government health experts in Taiwan are developing the skills our people need and readying themselves to come back home and provide the best in medical care to our citizens.
Now, on January 30, 2020, with the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) posing a grave health threat to the health of all people, the (WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). At that time, the WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had emphasized that “together, we are powerful”. The WHO at that time did recognize the ‘powerhouse’ in Taiwan. However, the WHO continues to exclude Taiwan from participating in the World Health Assembly since 2017 for mere political reasons.
Indeed, now that the COVID-19 pandemic has abated and dialogue on the strengthening of health systems throughout the world is accelerating, Taiwan should not be left out of discussion and decision-making of the WHO Assembly. At this time, I take the opportunity to call upon our government to join in the call to include Taiwan in the WHO Assembly processes.
There is no doubt that Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHO assembly would make the world healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable.
Indeed, the governments of the Caribbean are sufficiently politically savvy, to bind themselves together and get the WHO to include Taiwan in the world health system and network under WHO.
I am calling upon our government to demand full participation of Taiwan in WHO meetings, mechanisms, and activities. We should no longer tolerate Taiwan standing on the ‘side-lines’.
On Monday May 23, 13 countries called upon the WHO to include Taiwan in the World Health assembly (WHA). Countries with and without diplomatic ties with Taiwan have urge the assembly to allow Taiwan’s participation to enhance global public health. Taiwan has the ability so to do!
Indeed, with some more pressure from international organization Taiwan could be called in.
I wish to come back to the assistance being provided to the government and people of St. Lucia by the government and people of Taiwan.
On 5th April, 2023, Ambassador Peter Chen, donated 465 mobility assistance devices to St. Lucia, during a very lively ceremony. The donation includes wheelchairs, folding commode chairs, and single arm walkers. The donation not only demonstrates the continued support of the Taiwanese government, but also conveys love and care from the people of Taiwan.
Indeed, Taiwan has completed 15 projects in St. Lucia as follows: 2020 Health Care Personnel Training programme; 2022 Healthcare Personnel Training programme; Project for ICT in Education in St. Lucia; Project for enhancing the efficiency of production supply chain in fruit and vegetable sector; Banana Productivity Improvement Project; Fruit and Vegetable Demonstration and Extension Project, phase 2; Government Islandwide Network Project; Banana Black Sigatoka Disease Prevention and Treatment Project; Aquaculture Project; Plant Tissue Culture Project; ICT Technical Cooperation Project.’
Some of the cooperating countries in the Taiwanese projects were: Africa, Asia Pacific, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Paraguay.
As you would realize, Taiwan touches the lives of people in Caribbean Countries as well as the Americas simultaneously.
The Minister of Health and the Environment in St. Vincent & the Grenadines Hon. St. Clair “Jimmy” Prince, has said that the people of Taiwan have supported and shared knowledge and experience and healthcare with the country for more than 40 years, and that St. Vincent stands with Taiwan as it continues to be excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA).
The Haitian Public Health Minister, Alix Larsen, has said that Haiti pleads and will continue to plead for the inclusion of Taiwan in the WHO activities.
Lizzie Nkosi, the Minister of Health of Eswatini, a country situated in South Africa, has said that Taiwan was the first to send medical experts to aid Eswatini in caring for patients in intensive health unit, and called on the WHO to include Taiwan in the World Health Assembly.
Our very own Minister of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs Hon. Moses Jn. Baptiste, during his presentation to the WHO in February 2023, called on the WHO to grant privileges to Taiwan to be associated with the functions of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Indeed, several other health leaders have called for the inclusion in the affairs of the WHO. And that should happen sooner than later.