Taiwan is an indispensable post-pandemic recovery partner
FIJI’S Ministry of Health website records show Fiji’s tremendous success story in overcoming the great challenges that COVID-19 pandemic presented itself with.
While few Pacific neighbours still closed its boarders, Fiji was “Open for happiness” to the world quarantine-free on April 7, a testament of what working together on a national and global scale can achieve.
Since the pandemic began spreading, it has wreaked havoc across the world.
With still no end in sight globally, it is crucial that we continue to work together and face the challenges arising from the pandemic.
For the past two years, Taiwan’s anti-pandemic efforts, its contributions to the international community, and its co-operation with partners worldwide have demonstrated that Taiwan is a force for good.
It’s time Fiji and Taiwan co-operate to help regional and global partners combating COVID-19 to create a better and safer postpandemic world for all.
Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping
No one should be left behind when it comes to medical care. Taiwan has provided Fiji with two infrared thermal imaging cameras, 42,000 surgical masks, 3000 N95 masks, 3050 gowns and 500 personal protective clothes since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Taiwan Cathay General Hospital also donated medical equipment supplies worth $F318,000 (about $US195,000) to Fiji’s Labasa Hospital in support of its medical services on Vanua Levu on December 22, 2021.
Furthermore, Taiwan again donated one container load of wheelchairs and other assistive devices to Fiji on March 23, 2022 and plans to donate 60 oxygen generators and other assistive devices in the near future.
Taiwan has leveraged medical research and development strengths to contribute to global anti-pandemic efforts
To strengthen its vaccine research and development capabilities, Taiwan is actively pursuing research in key vaccine manufacturing processes and establishing an innovative technological platform for nRNA vaccines.
In addition, one of Taiwan’s domestically produced vaccines has already been granted emergency use and production authorisation.
It is recognised by a number of countries, including Belize, Estonia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Palau, Paraguay, Somaliland, and Thailand.
It has shown that Taiwan is willing and able to join global efforts to combat the pandemic and tackle the myriad challenges of the post-pandemic era.
Support Taiwan’s regular participation in all WHO meetings, mechanisms, and activities
The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded the world that disease knows no borders. The World Health Organization (WHO) has continued to call on the world to come together to fight the pandemic and work toward recovery.
However, for political considerations, WHO has refused to invite Taiwan to attend the World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer or to allow Taiwan’s full participation in meetings, mechanisms, and technical meetings related to COVID-19.
This has not only deprived the 23.5 million people of Taiwan of their right to health, it has also been unhelpful in the global struggle to defeat COVID-19.
This also set an unfortunate precedent for rules-based global governance.
Taiwan calls on every nation, including Fiji, to support its bid to attend the World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer in 2022 and endorse Taiwan’s regular participation in all WHO meetings, mechanisms, and activities.
Taiwan also urges its international friends and partners to continue to staunchly support its participation in the global health network to enable Taiwan to contribute even more in the postpandemic era.
JOSEPH CHOW is a representative of the Taipei Trade Office in Fiji. The views expressed are the author’s and do not reflect the views of this newspaper.