Taipei, Nov. 8 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Saturday that being included in the World Health Organization (WHO) is a top priority of his administration.
Speaking at a meeting of the Formosan Medical Association, the president said it was important for Taiwan to be under the umbrella of the world health body, and pointed to the outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) earlier this year in Taiwan to underscore the importance of being a part of the WHO, although Taiwan overcame the disease and showed its capability to handle the situation on its own.
SARS first appeared on the island in March and disappeared in July but not before claiming the lives of 37 out of 346 probable cases.
Since diseases know no political boundaries, so should the work to prevent and wipe them out, the president said, adding that the WHO should not shun Taiwan's participation because of interference by Beijing, who thinks that Taiwan is a part of mainland China.
The president also took the opportunity to again congratulate the nation's baseball team that secured a place in the 2004 Olympics in Athens by coming in second at the Asian Championship in Sapporo, Japan.