Taiwan has called for its inclusion in global health governance referencing its remarkable strides in health equity. Speaking as Taiwan commemorated the 30th anniversary of its National Health Insurance (NHI) system, Taiwan’s Minister of Health and Welfare, Dr. Chiu Tai-yuan, stated that health is not merely a national concern but a universal value and fundamental human right. He emphasised that improved public health directly contributes to national well-being, security, and development, while reinforcing global resilience in the face of cross-border health threats.

Dr. Chiu noted that the 2025–2028 World Health Organisation (WHO) Fourteenth General Programme of Work, recently adopted by member states, aligns closely with Taiwan’s health vision, particularly in its emphasis on universal health coverage (UHC) and stronger financial protections. He expressed pride that Taiwan has already achieved near-universal health coverage through its NHI system, which now serves 99.9 per cent of the population.

“The NHI has become both a guarantor of people’s health and a pillar of Taiwan’s social stability. It is a global benchmark for universal health coverage, having been ranked first in the Health Care Index category by Numbeo for seven consecutive years,” he said.

Launched in 1995, Taiwan’s NHI integrated multiple occupational health insurance schemes into a single, comprehensive, and equitable model. Dr. Chiu explained that the system is sustained through a pay-as-you-go structure supplemented by reforms such as adjusted premiums and a tobacco surcharge. These measures, he said, ensure that the system remains financially viable despite the pressures of an aging population and rising medical costs.

Looking to the future, Dr. Chiu said President Lai Ching-te has laid out a “Healthy Taiwan” vision, which centers on communities and families, emphasizing prevention and holistic, lifelong care. Key initiatives include expanding preventive healthcare, strengthening chronic disease management through a family physician model, and extending telemedicine to remote regions.

Taiwan is also focusing on long-term and palliative care, “aging in place” policies, and integrated services to ensure that elderly populations receive dignified care, he added.

On digital health, Dr. Chiu highlighted Taiwan’s alignment with WHO’s Global Strategy on Digital Health (2020–2025). He said Taiwan continues to leverage its technological strengths to build high-impact, person-centric digital health systems. The NHI cloud, adoption of Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR), virtual health cards, and the My Health Bank mobile app were cited as innovations empowering citizens to take control of their health.

Taiwan’s Health Technology Assessment program, introduced in 2008, has accelerated access to new treatments, Dr. Chiu said. He pointed out that in 2023, gene and cell therapies were included under the NHI, signaling a leap forward for precision medicine. He also mentioned how AI-assisted tools and smart healthcare technologies are helping enhance both patient outcomes and the work environment for medical professionals.

Despite its accomplishments, Taiwan remains excluded from WHO due to political pressures, particularly from China, which misrepresents United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and World Health Assembly Resolution 25.1 as grounds for blocking Taiwan’s participation. “These resolutions do not authorize China to represent Taiwan in WHO, nor do they mention Taiwan at all,” Dr. Chiu emphasised.

Calling this exclusion a violation of the UN’s values of inclusiveness and universality, Dr. Chiu urged WHO and its members to “adopt a more open-minded, professional, and pragmatic stance” that reflects Taiwan’s contributions to global health security. He stressed that Taiwan’s exclusion undermines the WHO’s own mission to leave no one behind, especially in a world grappling with pandemics and shared health threats.

“Taiwan stands ready to share its knowledge and partner with others,” Dr. Chiu said, reiterating Taiwan’s contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it provided supplies and shared its successful containment strategies.