Taiwan health care system praised at WHA

DOH Minister Chiu Wen-ta is taking advantage of the WHA in Geneva, Switzerland, to network with health officials from other countries. (CNA)‧Publication Date：05/23/2012‧Source： Taiwan Today Taiwan's medical system and treatment standards have been commended by health ministers and officials from several countries at the 65th session of the World Health Assembly, ROC Department of Health Minister Chiu Wen-ta said May 22.Chiu pointed out that bilateral consultations at the gathering in Geneva, Switzerland, May 21 to 26 have provided many opportunities to meet with top health officials of other nations.For example, U.K. health representatives expressed an interest in learning from Taiwan's health insurance pricing system, according to Chiu.They also said they hope to engage in reciprocal health care exchanges with Taiwan, including negotiations toward a confidentiality agreement on pharmaceutical consultations, he noted.Chiu said the U.K. plans to send personnel to Taiwan in the latter half of June to provide guidance on general health maintenance and the prevention and control of communicable diseases.The Taiwan delegation to the WHA has also met with Japanese health officials to exchange views on issues such as bilateral cooperation on drug and food safety.The Japanese representatives expressed appreciation for the relief aid provided by Taiwan following the earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan in March 2011, he added.Chiu invited the Japanese side to take part in an international health care forum in Taiwan in November, and expressed the hope that Japan could provide support for Taiwan's bid to gain meaningful participation in international organizations.He also met with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius on the opening day of the WHA gathering.Chiu is slated to head to Brussels, Belgium, May 24 to sign a bilateral cooperative agreement with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Consumers. He will also deliver a speech at the European Institute for Asian Studies, a policy and research think tank supported by the EU, in which he will explain health care initiatives being actively promoted by Taiwan.