Tuesday, December 05, 2006

GLOBAL HEALTH LEADERS DISCUSS HEALTH SUSTAINABILITY IN TAIWAN

Taipei, Dec. 4 (CNA) Health leaders from more than 40 countries met in a global forum in Taipei Monday to discuss health sustainability and Taiwan's participation and roles in international health affairs.

The forum, with the theme of "Sustainability of Global Health" is taking place at the National Taiwan University Hospital International Convention Center from Dec. 4-6.

President Chen Shui-bian said in an opening address that while Taiwan is not a World Health Organization (WHO) member or observer, it would be able to make a greater contribution to global health if it were allowed to take part in more WHO activities.

Taiwan and the rest of the world did not realize the importance of public health and the impact of a major disease until the SARS outbreak of 2003, Department of Health Minister Hou Sheng-mou claimed.

According to him, it was not until then that the world came to know that a major disease could affect global economic development.

Taiwan and the world are facing "unprecedented challenges" in terms of public health as the issues of AIDS, SARS, avian influenza, other diseases and suicide have either worsened or could return at any time, Hou said, making global collaboration necessary.

The forum discussed topics such as strategic planning for major diseases, regional and global health security, opportunities and challenges facing the health sector, international health law and policy, and Taiwan's participation and roles in global health.