On January 13, 2009, Steve H.S. Kuo, Director of the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control received a letter from Dr. Bernard P. Kean, Executive Director of the Office of the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), detailing the proposed arrangements by the WHO for including Taiwan’s participation in the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR). The CDC is of the view that these arrangements will be conducive to the inclusion of Taiwan in the global system for disseminating information on disease prevention, as well as to the direct contact between Taiwan and the WHO. The CDC also notes that this is the first step towards the realization of the IHR’s principle of universal application and is a positive development from a technical perspective. The CDC stated that in the future it will continue to coordinate with the WHO so as to ensure the smooth implementation of these arrangements.

The IHR, which came into force on June 15, 2007, is a major policy promoted by the WHO. From the view point of fighting against epidemics and public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), the CDC welcomes the WHO’s decision to formally include Taiwan in the implementation of the IHR and expressed optimism about future developments.

Concrete measures proposed by the WHO on Taiwan’s substantive participation include: 1. accepting Taiwan’s Point of Contact; 2. allowing direct communication and contact between the Contact Points of the WHO Secretariat and Taiwan; 3. providing Taiwan password to the secured Event Information Site; 4. dispatching experts to Taiwan and inviting Taiwan’s representatives to attend related WHO emergency committees in the event of any PHEIC in Taiwan; and 5. inviting Taiwan to propose a public health expert for the IHR expert roster. Director Kuo stated that the five proposed measures are essential to the implementation of the IHR. As for details regarding how the two Contact Points should interact and the recommendation of experts will be further discussed by Taiwan and the WHO.

Director Kuo emphasized that the IHR is only one of the WHO’s mechanisms and is no replacement for WHA observership in ensuring Taiwan’s full participation in the WHO. Therefore, Taiwan will continue to strive to become an observer to the WHA.

Director Kuo also pointed out that Taiwan’s formal inclusion in the implementation of IHR demonstrates that Taiwan can have direct contact with the WHO and access to first-hand information on PHEIC, such as SARS, avian flu, chemical spills and food safety. It will help Taiwan enhance its surveillance and early warning capability. If in the future a public health issue of concern to the international community occurs in Taiwan, WHO experts can come to Taiwan to provide assistance and implement related prevention and treatment measures. Likewise, Taiwan’s experts can attend WHO’s emergency committees to discuss how to prevent and control epidemics in Taiwan and other countries. This will increase our response capabilities, ensure the health security of our people, and reduce economic losses in such events.