Health Ministers and Senior Health Officials from Palau, Tuvalu, the Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands, and Kiribati, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: Good afternoon.
First of all, on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, let me extend my warmest welcome to all our distinguished guests. Thank you for coming to Taiwan to participate in the "2004 International Conference for Austronesian Health" and to discuss medical and health care issues of the Austronesian people. As we are all aware of, the indigenous peoples of Taiwan are also part of the Austronesian family, which has the most diversified linguistic system with the greatest territorial spread in the world. Scientific research has indicated the commonality among the Austronesians in the Pacific and Indian Ocean, sharing not only similar characteristics in culture, language, and lifestyle, but also health problems—in particular, genetic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and gout.
These scientific "genetic founder effect" may very well span across the Pacific, causing high-rate of gene expression of those recessive genetic diseases. Therefore, it is necessary for Austronesian countries and communities to exchange medical information and resources, as well as cooperate in related academic research.
Developed countries of the world have already established the notion of health care as basic human rights. My country is no exception. However, if we look at health indexes such as the average life expectancy, the indigenous peoples of Taiwan and most population from the Austronesian countries are clearly not as healthy as peoples from other areas. Such a problem is related to the structure of healthcare system and resource distribution and should not be entirely attributed to genetic traits of the individual or characteristics of an ethnic group.
My government has dedicated much effort in improving healthcare facilities and service quality of the mountainous area and small islets. Efforts have also been made to develop and train medical professionals in these areas, while providing subsidy for medical referral or transfer for emergency cases. Meanwhile, distant medical consultation system has been established. These measures have helped alleviate medical problems in certain remote areas. However, given the importance of proper medical and healthcare of the indigenous in ensuring the sustainability of these communities, the improvement of health condition and the control of communicable diseases require the full support of our national healthcare system as well as the cooperation, assistance and support of the international health community.
The indigenous peoples in Taiwan are the earliest settlers on this land and are also part of the Austronesian family. Based on the spirit of “medicine without border”, we have the obligation and determination to share our experience in medical care with our Austronesian allies. Together we can work to protect the rights to livelihood, development and health of the indigenous groups.
To enhance healthcare cooperation amongst the Austronesian peoples, our Department of Health, in collaboration with our Council of Indigenous Peoples held the first-ever "International Conference for Austronesian Health" last year. This year we went a step further and signed the "Austronesian Health Taipei Joint Communique" and "Agreement on Health Cooperation". These are concrete results all of us have achieved through mutual exchange and collaboration. It gives us much hope and we are determined to strengthen our partnership and establish firm and sustainable platform of cooperation in medical and healthcare, by forging consensus and enhancing mutual understanding amongst Taiwan's indigenous peoples and the Austronesians. With dedication and concerted efforts, we look forward to the attainment of ethnic harmony and mutual prosperity.
In closing, let me thank all of you once again for participating in this very meaningful international conference. I wish everyone good health and happiness. Thank you.