By Admin. Updated 4:55 p.m., Friday, May 23 , 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Ambassador Fiona Huei-Chun Fan has expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for its support in advocating Taiwan’s inclusion in global health forums.
During the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA), Minister of Health Hon. St. Clair Prince strongly urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to allow Taiwan to participate in its mechanisms, recognising the country’s significant contributions to global public health and its continued cooperation with SVG.
Despite Taiwan’s exclusion from the WHO due to geopolitical tensions and the interpretation of UNGA Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1 by the People’s Republic of China, Ambassador Fan reiterated that neither resolution explicitly mentions Taiwan or grants China the authority to represent it. She emphasised that Taiwan remains committed to building a comprehensive global health network and ensuring no one is left behind.
Taiwan’s healthcare cooperation with SVG has yielded major achievements, including the ongoing construction of the Arnos Vale Acute Care Hospital (AVACH), a 135-bed facility that will provide comprehensive acute medical services. The initiative is complemented by the development of a Hospital Information System (HIS), designed to enhance efficiency in patient care through streamlined medical record management.
Following the devastation of Hurricane Beryl in 2024, Taiwan was one of the first countries to respond, providing USD $200,000 in aid, 100 tons of rice, and medical supplies to support dengue outbreak relief efforts. More recently, in March 2025, a five-member medical team from Taiwan’s Mackay Memorial Hospital conducted a successful medical mission across key Vincentian hospitals and clinics, offering services in cardiology, neurology, ENT, and emergency medicine.
Through its “Public Health Emergency Response System Enhancement Project,” Taiwan has also invested in building local medical capacity. Sixteen professionals received training in Taiwan to serve as emergency and infectious disease response instructors. Over 180 medical staff were certified in Basic Life Support (BLS), while 84 advanced to ACLS certification. Several training sessions have also been held for police, fire officers, and the general public on emergency techniques and infectious disease prevention.
Further deepening its impact, Taiwan—through partnerships with NGOs such as the Cao Zhong Zhi Foundation—has donated hundreds of mobility aids, including wheelchairs and walkers. On March 10, Taiwan also handed over a fully equipped ambulance to SVG, enhancing emergency response on Union Island.
Taiwan continues to urge the international community to recognise its capacity and readiness to contribute meaningfully to global health security. As health challenges increasingly cross borders, Taiwan’s exclusion from WHO not only undermines cooperative efforts but also neglects the human right to health enshrined in the WHO Constitution and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
One News SVG 