Taipei, Dec. 20 (CNA) Jumping at the chance to gain some leverage from the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) case in Taiwan, President Chen Shui-bian stressed in Taipei Saturday the importance of Taiwan obtaining access to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Speaking at a ceremony to honor senior medical workers, Chen said the reappearance of SARS in Taiwan has reminded the world of the loophole in its anti-epidemic frontline caused by Taiwan's absence from the WHO, which coordinates the global efforts to fight epidemics.
Noting that Taiwan succeeded in overcoming the disease earlier this year on its own, Chen said the episode brought home to both the international community and the country that epidemics know no political boundaries and that the world's attempts to bring epidemics under control are hampered by shutting Taiwan out for political reasons.
Now that the disease has reappeared in Taiwan due to the negligence of a scientist engaged in SARS research that caused him to become infected by the disease Dec. 17, the president said the case serves as a warning to both the world and the country that Taiwan should be included in the WHO as soon as possible.
He vowed to continue the country's seven-year effort to join the WHO as an observer, saying that persistence will eventually lead to success. He also wished the latest SARS patient a speedy recovery.