President Lai: If Taiwan Were a WHO Member, It Would Contribute More to the World
In a video address for a global health forum ahead of the World Health Assembly (WHA), President Lai Ching-te stated that Taiwan could contribute more to the world if it were a member of the World Health Organization (WHO). Highlighting his 'Healthy Taiwan' vision, the President emphasized Taiwan's achievements in digital health and AI governance, cancer policy, and the elimination of Hepatitis C (five years ahead of the WHO's goal). He argued that Taiwan's inclusion would not only protect its people's right to health but also enhance its ability to contribute to global health.
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- 📰 Published: May 18, 2026 at 18:26
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(CNA, Taipei, May 18, Reporter: Yeh Su-ping) This afternoon, President Lai Ching-te delivered a pre-recorded address for a global health series forum by the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 'WHA Action Team' for the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79). He said that Taiwan has always actively participated in international health affairs and shared its experiences, striving to be a responsible and reliable partner in the global health field. 'If Taiwan were a member of the World Health Organization, it would make even greater contributions to the world,' he stated.
According to a press release from the Presidential Office, President Lai, speaking in English, noted that the current world is undergoing many drastic changes, from rapid technological development and demographic shifts to the challenges of emerging infectious diseases, placing greater and heavier responsibilities on everyone's shoulders. As Taiwan's first president with a medical background, he looks forward to gathering strengths from all sectors to build a 'Healthy Taiwan' and enhance the health and well-being of the people.
President Lai said the forum would share the policy vision of 'Healthy Taiwan' and engage in dialogue on three major topics: digital health and artificial intelligence governance, cancer policy and innovation, and the global action to eliminate Hepatitis C.
First, he stated that digital health and artificial intelligence are reshaping the future of healthcare. Taiwan is committed to promoting responsible AI governance through a comprehensive institutional framework to ensure the safety, effectiveness, and reliability of medical AI. Taiwan's thriving digital health industry will also continue to drive cutting-edge innovation, from medical AI and medical robots to emerging applications like the medical metaverse, comprehensively enhancing medical precision and service quality.
Second, President Lai noted that cancer remains one of the most severe health challenges today. To strengthen cancer prevention and control, Taiwan is actively promoting early screening, precision medicine, and improving access to innovative treatments. By establishing a new cancer drug fund and reforming the health insurance reimbursement system, Taiwan ensures that every patient can receive timely, affordable, and high-quality medical care.
Third, President Lai mentioned that in the global action to eliminate Hepatitis C, Taiwan achieved the goal five years ahead of the WHO's 2030 target. This success was not accidental but the result of Taiwan's proactive and comprehensive strategy integrating screening, treatment, and prevention, built on a foundation of sound governance and universal health insurance.
President Lai said that reaching the goal is not the end point; maintaining the results and filling the remaining gaps still requires continuous global cooperation. He looks forward to sharing Taiwan's experience and learning from partners around the world to work together towards a future without Hepatitis C.
He emphasized that 'cooperation' is the most crucial key to promoting health policies, especially as current health challenges are so severe that no country can handle them alone. Only by strengthening partnerships between government, academia, industry, and the private sector can we accelerate innovation, promote equity, and build a more resilient health system.
President Lai stated that for a long time, Taiwan has always actively participated in international health affairs, shared its experiences, and maintained close cooperation with the global community, committed to being a responsible and reliable partner in the global health field. If Taiwan were a member of the World Health Organization, not only would the health rights of the Taiwanese people be protected, but Taiwan could also make greater contributions to the world. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150518
According to a press release from the Presidential Office, President Lai, speaking in English, noted that the current world is undergoing many drastic changes, from rapid technological development and demographic shifts to the challenges of emerging infectious diseases, placing greater and heavier responsibilities on everyone's shoulders. As Taiwan's first president with a medical background, he looks forward to gathering strengths from all sectors to build a 'Healthy Taiwan' and enhance the health and well-being of the people.
President Lai said the forum would share the policy vision of 'Healthy Taiwan' and engage in dialogue on three major topics: digital health and artificial intelligence governance, cancer policy and innovation, and the global action to eliminate Hepatitis C.
First, he stated that digital health and artificial intelligence are reshaping the future of healthcare. Taiwan is committed to promoting responsible AI governance through a comprehensive institutional framework to ensure the safety, effectiveness, and reliability of medical AI. Taiwan's thriving digital health industry will also continue to drive cutting-edge innovation, from medical AI and medical robots to emerging applications like the medical metaverse, comprehensively enhancing medical precision and service quality.
Second, President Lai noted that cancer remains one of the most severe health challenges today. To strengthen cancer prevention and control, Taiwan is actively promoting early screening, precision medicine, and improving access to innovative treatments. By establishing a new cancer drug fund and reforming the health insurance reimbursement system, Taiwan ensures that every patient can receive timely, affordable, and high-quality medical care.
Third, President Lai mentioned that in the global action to eliminate Hepatitis C, Taiwan achieved the goal five years ahead of the WHO's 2030 target. This success was not accidental but the result of Taiwan's proactive and comprehensive strategy integrating screening, treatment, and prevention, built on a foundation of sound governance and universal health insurance.
President Lai said that reaching the goal is not the end point; maintaining the results and filling the remaining gaps still requires continuous global cooperation. He looks forward to sharing Taiwan's experience and learning from partners around the world to work together towards a future without Hepatitis C.
He emphasized that 'cooperation' is the most crucial key to promoting health policies, especially as current health challenges are so severe that no country can handle them alone. Only by strengthening partnerships between government, academia, industry, and the private sector can we accelerate innovation, promote equity, and build a more resilient health system.
President Lai stated that for a long time, Taiwan has always actively participated in international health affairs, shared its experiences, and maintained close cooperation with the global community, committed to being a responsible and reliable partner in the global health field. If Taiwan were a member of the World Health Organization, not only would the health rights of the Taiwanese people be protected, but Taiwan could also make greater contributions to the world. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng) 1150518