Sustainable development of health in the post-pandemic era

As the world enters the fourth year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation is gradually improving. In response to a post-pandemic recovery, countries around the world have stepped up efforts to achieve health and well-being for all and meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), progress on which has been impacted by the pandemic .

Taiwan fully supports the health-related SDGs and the World Health Organization’s “trillion goals”. Indeed, Taiwan is committed to building a more resilient and equitable health supply chain by maintaining an inclusive and equitable universal health coverage system, and providing disease prevention and management through a strong primary care health system. . Likewise, Taiwan is willing and able to share its experience to help the international community work towards the realization of the SDGs.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan has effectively mitigated the spread of the disease by leveraging its public health system, anti-pandemic personnel, and epidemiological surveillance, investigation, and analysis systems.

Compared with the 38 member states of the “Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) plus Singapore”, Taiwan ranks sixth with the lowest COVID-19 death and fatality rate, and ranks fourth in terms of COVID-19 rates. coverage of at least one dose of covid-19 vaccine and third in terms of booster vaccinations administered.

Promoting Health for All In 1995, Taiwan established a universal health insurance system. Since then, the government has consistently provided health and disease prevention services so that people of all ages can enjoy the right to health.

Regarding the prevention and management of noncommunicable diseases, Taiwan has established a number of programs in support of the global fight against cancer and the WHO’s goal of reducing its mortality by 25% by 2025.

Innovative technology and universal health coverage Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) is an excellent example of universal health coverage. The COVID-19 pandemic has helped the international community recognize the importance of regional cooperation and digitization in the health sector. Taiwan is committed to promoting digital health and innovation to improve the accessibility and quality of health services, including plans for a next generation NHI program.

Realizing the importance of working with the international community, Taiwan will further share innovative technologies and best practices with partners around the world to advance universal health coverage.

Taiwan can help and Taiwan is helping Taiwan hasn’t been invited to the World Health Assembly since 2017. Now that the COVID-19 pandemic is easing and the dialogue on strengthening health systems around the world is accelerating, Taiwan shouldn’t be excluded. Taiwan can help, and including Taiwan would make the world healthier, more sustainable, and more equitable.

Taiwan urges WHO and all relevant stakeholders to support Taiwan’s inclusion in the World Health Assembly as an observer, as well as Taiwan’s full participation in WHO meetings, mechanisms and activities. Taiwan will continue to work with the world to help ensure the fundamental right to health enshrined in the WHO Constitution. In the spirit of the SDGs, no country should be left behind, especially Taiwan, which has made significant contributions to global public health.