Special Exhibition on Taiwan's WHO Bid Appears at Geneva Station, Public Admires Medical Contributions

Central News Agency (CNA reporter Wu Po-wei, Geneva, 16th) — Although Taiwan remains excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA), official and private sectors are joining forces to organize various activities calling for international attention to Taiwan. An exhibition held at the Geneva railway station attracted many people, with some expressing admiration for Taiwan's many contributions in the medical field after seeing the exhibition. Several civic organizations, including the Taiwan United Nations Alliance, the Taiwan Medical and Health Youth Alliance, the Swiss Formosa Culture Association, and the European Walk for Taiwan Association, held the "Special Exhibition on Taiwan's Bid to Join WHO" at the Geneva railway station on the afternoon of the 16th. Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang, along with DPP legislator Kuo Yu-ching, KMT legislator Liao Wei-hsiang, and TPP legislator Chen Chao-tzu, all attended the opening ceremony. Liu Hui-hsuan, vice-president of the Taiwan Medical and Health Youth Alliance, told CNA in an interview that one of the exhibition's goals is to invite everyone to care about Taiwan's issues and understand that Taiwan has the ability to contribute to global health. He said that Taiwan has long been under international political pressure, reducing its channels and opportunities for international participation. However, Taiwan's medical and health standards, whether in national health insurance, disease prevention, or the application of smart healthcare, are very advanced and famous in the world. Shih Shu-hua, standing director of the Taiwan United Nations Alliance and head of the advocacy delegation, emphasized in an interview that Taiwan's public health and epidemic prevention systems are among the best in the world, yet it has been continuously excluded from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the WHA. Therefore, they continue to advocate internationally that Taiwan's desire to join the WHO is not just for itself, but that once Taiwan joins, it can complete the missing piece of the global medical and public health system puzzle. Holding an exhibition in the bustling Geneva railway station naturally attracted many onlookers, some of whom carefully examined the text and images on the panels, while others took photos with their phones. A member of the public, Vibhu Garg, told CNA while viewing the exhibition that by reading the content, one can feel that Taiwan has clearly made many contributions in the medical and health fields, even during epidemics like SARS and COVID-19, where it made great efforts. He said that there should be no restrictions on people learning from each other and exchanging ideas and best practices, as this is not about countries, but about all of humanity. (Editor: Hsu Chung-che) 1150517