Medical Groups Advocate in Geneva, Urging WHO to Include Taiwan

On the 16th, Swiss time, the Taiwan Medical Alliance and several other civic groups protested at the Place des Nations in Geneva, accusing World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of failing to fulfill his duties as the leader of the world's top health body during his 10-year tenure, and calling for the WHO to include Taiwan. The World Health Assembly (WHA) is set to open in Geneva, Switzerland on the 18th. Several civic groups from Taiwan and the Americas gathered in Geneva to protest in front of the 'Broken Chair' sculpture at the Place des Nations before this year's WHA. In a press release on the evening of the 16th, Swiss time, Taiwan Medical Alliance CEO Lin Shih-chia urged global democracies to take seriously China's infiltration and erosion of the United Nations system. She argued that during his 10-year tenure, Tedros has not acted as a proper 'gatekeeper' for the world's highest health organization, instead allowing the World Health Organization (WHO) to be systematically manipulated by China. Lin believes that from its external rhetoric and organizational finances to its high-level personnel, the WHO has been systematically reshaped by China. This is a risk that global democracies must take seriously and work together to counter the infiltration of China's authoritarian power into all aspects of international multilateral cooperation. Lin pointed out that Taiwan still enjoys support from many allies and democratic countries, and called on the WHO to allow Taiwan to meaningfully participate in global health affairs, join international conventions, and various WHO technical mechanisms. She anticipates that in the coming days, support for Taiwan from allies and like-minded European and American countries will be visible in the speeches of ministers and discussions at technical meetings. She believes Taiwan's voice will not be easily silenced at this year's WHA. Dr. Lin Jung-sung of the North American Taiwanese Medical Association (NATMA) stated that he has been participating in actions for Taiwan's inclusion in the WHO for 30 years. He expressed anger and regret that the WHO has still not invited Taiwan to attend the WHA this year, but stressed that Taiwan must continue to speak out, its momentum should not wane, and it must not bow to pressure from China.