Taipei, May 15 (CNA) Unity and cooperation are the best immunity against the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) , President Chen Shui-bian said.
Only by everyone pitching in and pulling together can Taiwan contain SARS in the shortest possible period of time, Chen said in a televised speech to the armed forces Thursday.
The president offered his sincerest gratitude to every member of the Republic of China military, which has made strenuous efforts to help curb the spread of SARS since the potentially deadly atypical pneumonia began to take an increasing toll on the island in April.
Chen said the military, which was praised highly for its rescue and relief work in the wake of the devastating 9-21 earthquake in 1999, has not only carried out measures to protect those in uniform from SARS, it has also contributed manpower, expertise and equipment to help the wider campaign against the epidemic in Taiwan.
He said he is well aware that many in the military have not left their duties nor taken any rest since May 1 when the country's SARS prevention efforts were upgraded from the level of public health to that of national security.