The Republic of China (Taiwan) has been at the forefront of successfully combating the COVID-19 pandemic with a remarkably low number of 567 confirmed cases and 7 deaths among a population of 23.5 million. This is attributed, in part, to the arduous lessons learned from the 2003 SARS outbreak in which the WHO refused Taiwan’s repeated requests for firsthand information and assistance. Fast-forward 17 years, Taiwan was the first country to warn the WHO of possible COVID-19 human-to-human transmission in December 2019. However, the WHO ignored Taiwan’s warning. This resulted in the rapid worldwide spread of COVID-19.

The Taiwan model

The Taiwan model describes the rapid, organized response measures taken by the Taiwan government to contain COVID-19, namely through the activation of the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) responsible for integrating information from various ministries and focusing on containment, stringent border controls and quarantine procedures, information sharing, and transparency.

Photo by Taiwan National Education Radio

The Taiwan model includes the balanced use of digital technology and big data while safeguarding human rights and privacy, in conjunction with hospitals and frontline medical professionals, to prevent and properly track the spread of COVID-19. Taiwan is committed to transparency even in its stockpile of surgical masks. In fact, Taiwan is actually the first country to create a name-based rationing system of surgical masks and is doing so in cooperation between the government and private groups. Users can check the number of masks in stock online. It allows all people equal access to purchase masks and ensures a reliable supply.

Taiwan contributes globally

Taiwan is recognized for its world-class health care system. With a secure domestic supply of PPEs, Taiwan remains in a unique position to make a strong impact on the world by donating medical supplies and equipment to friendly nations and allies. In fact, Taiwan has donated 54 million surgical masks, 1.16 million N95 masks, 600,000 isolation gowns, 227,000 sets of protective clothing, and 35,000 touch-free forehead thermometers across 80 countries, including the United States.

Photo by Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare

Taiwan regularly shares the Taiwan model and its experience in fighting COVID-19 with the international community via videoconferences that include government officials, healthcare agencies and providers, hospitals, universities, and influential think tanks across 32 countries. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston (TECO-Boston), in conjunction with the local Taiwanese and business communities, is pleased to have donated nearly 500,000 surgical masks among Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. In this critical time of need, Taiwan has proven a reliable partner and friend in our common fight against COVID-19.

WHO and the world need Taiwan 

Taiwan has been invited to attend the World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer for eight consecutive years from 2009 to 2016. Now, more than ever, it just makes sense to include Taiwan once again in the 73^rd World Health Assembly (WHA-73) which reconvenes from November 9-14 to share its experience and success in fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world has seen, China’s relentless political pressure on the WHO only jeopardizes global health. This effectively halts efforts by U.N. member states to achieve the stated goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Working together for the greater good 

While the world may have COVID-19, the world also has Taiwan, an able and willing force for good, with a deep commitment to improving world health. The international community recognizes Taiwan’s value and continues steadfast in its support of Taiwan’s bid to attend the WHA including, in part, the United States, Australia, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the European Parliament, and the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC).

Photo by 國禎 吳 on Flickr

Taiwan’s success in preventing the transmission of COVID-19 is clear, making Taiwan an indispensable partner in the achievement of the WHO’s goal of Health for All. “Working together for the greater good,” notes Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Dr. Jaushieh Joseph Wu, “is how the world will defeat COVID-19.” It just proves: Taiwan can help, and Taiwan is helping!