Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu (left) delivers an address during a virtual meeting of the Formosa Club, Latin America, as Vice Minister Miguel Li-jey looks on Nov. 6 in Taipei City. (MOFA)

A total of 791 lawmakers from 17 countries in Latin America back Taiwan’s bid for meaningful participation in the activities, mechanisms and meetings of the World Health Organization, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Such staunch support in the run-up to the Nov. 9 to 14 reconvened 73rd World Health Assembly—the governing body of the WHO—is deeply appreciated by the government and people of Taiwan, the MOFA said. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan Can Help combat coronavirus and strengthen the international response to the pandemic, the ministry added.

The response follows a Formosa Club, Latin America, virtual meeting addressed by MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu. During the Nov. 6 event hosted by Vice Minister Miguel Li-jey, 144 participating lawmakers echoed the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) in a statement urging the WHO to accept the importance of and need for Taiwan’s inclusion in the global health system and WHA.

High-profile participants included PARLACEN President Fanny Salinas Fernandez; Gustavo Porras, president of Nicaragua’s National Assembly; Del Pilar Medina, member of Paraguay’s Chamber of Deputies; and Luis Galarreta, former president of Peru’s National Congress.

The statement follows a steady stream of letters, resolutions and social media posts from allies Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Paraguay, as well as other nations in the region, calling on the WHO to recognize Taiwan’s health care credentials and to Leave No One Behind in realizing Heath For All.

Taiwan’s 23 million people are fully entitled to the right to health, the MOFA said, adding that only by including all stakeholders in the WHO can the U.N. specialized agency deliver a seamless disease prevention network. (YCH-E)