MOHW Minister Chen Shih-chung (left) and Francois Chappuis, chief of the Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine Division at HUG, display the Memorandum of Understanding on Disaster and Emergency Medical Collaboration May 22 in Geneva. (Courtesy of MOHW)

The Memorandum of Understanding on Disaster and Emergency Medical Collaboration was signed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) May 22 in the Swiss city.
 
Under the agreement, the two sides will deepen cooperation on disaster response models and training for Emergency Medical Teams, groups of health professionals that provide aid during sudden onset crises.
 
According to the MOHW, the pact is expected to strengthen domestic preparedness measures and further bolster Taiwan’s capabilities in providing international humanitarian assistance.
 
The agreement was signed by MOHW Minister Chen Shih-chung and Francois Chappuis, chief of the Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine Division at HUG. Chen is leading a delegation to the World Health Assembly in Geneva to protest Taiwan’s exclusion from the gathering and boost awareness of the nation’s commitment and contributions to global health security.
 
Chen said that the accord is targeted at upgrading EMT procedures in line with global standards, enriching training programs, enhancing disaster medicine expertise, and advancing academic research and data analysis in related fields.
 
For decades, medical and rescue personnel from Taiwan governmental and nongovernmental organizations have helped respond to major crises around the world, including the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, 2010 Haiti quake and the 2018 temblor in Indonesia.
 
According to the MOHW, natural disasters and public health emergencies do not respect national borders. Amid growing threats posed by climate change and the spread of infectious diseases, Taiwan is determined to boost preparedness and response measures at home and abroad, the ministry said, adding that Taiwan Can Help achieve the World Health Organization’s primary objective of Health For All.
 
The WHA is the annual meeting of the governing body of the WHO. Taiwan is excluded from the 72nd edition running May 20-28 in Geneva at the request of Beijing. (HC-E)