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On the afternoon of September 2, President Tsai Ing-wen attended the 35th General Assembly of the Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania (CMAAO). In her remarks at the event, President Tsai emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic is a global challenge that requires global cooperation, and said that Taiwan, as an indispensable part of international disease prevention efforts, will continue to do all it can to help manage the effects of the pandemic. The president also expressed hope that CMAAO and its members can expand regional cooperation to address public health challenges and improve the quality of healthcare throughout Asia and Oceania.
A transcript of President Tsai's remarks follows:
For decades, the Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania has been working to promote public health cooperation and improve the quality of medical care in the region. It is a pleasure to join you today to convey my utmost respect for the many contributions you have made toward this goal. These contributions have never been more apparent than since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. Frontline healthcare workers have put their lives and health at great risk in service of the shared mission to protect others.
I am deeply grateful to the many doctors and medical workers in Taiwan for their sacrifices. The members of the Taiwan Medical Association have consistently worked with and supported our government, both during this pandemic and in the past. This ensures that our healthcare system gives our people the best care possible. Taiwan's doctors not only provide excellent healthcare, but also bring Taiwan closer to the international community. Today's conference, and our doctors' many years of involvement in CMAAO, is testament to their outstanding contributions to our country.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 last year, Taiwan has donated PPE to countries in need around the world. We have also exchanged vaccination and pandemic response strategies with like-minded nations at events jointly sponsored by Taiwan, the US, and Japan under our Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF). I want to take this opportunity to thank CMAAO and WMA (World Medical Association) for sharing Taiwan's COVID-19 prevention experience with the world. With your support, Taiwan has been able to contribute more to global health and enjoy greater international participation.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a truly global challenge that requires global cooperation. I am grateful to all the doctors in attendance today for coming together to share your knowledge and help improve global public health. Particularly since the outbreak of the pandemic, we in Taiwan have proven through our actions that "Taiwan can help." Our country is vital to international efforts to control the pandemic, and we will continue to do all we can to help manage its impact. This is why the appointment of TMA (Taiwan Medical Association) President Chiu Tai-Yuan (邱泰源) as president of CMAAO is particularly meaningful. This is an opportunity for Taiwan to further contribute to the international community, and our government is fully behind Dr. Chiu and CMAAO.
I understand this Assembly is poised to approve a statement on regional cooperation to respond to future disease outbreaks. I look forward to further expanding our regional cooperation to address public health challenges and improve the quality of healthcare throughout Asia and Oceania. Thank you again for your contributions to global health, and let me wish everyone a successful General Assembly.
Among those who attended the event in person, online, or in a pre-recorded format were TMA President Dr. Chiu Tai-Yuan; CMAAO Secretary-General Dr. Sho Hashimoto and Council Chair Dr. Yeh Woei Chong; WMA President Dr. David Barbe, Council Chair Dr. Frank Ulrich Montgomery, and Secretary-General Dr. Otmar Kloiber; and Indian Medical Association National President Dr. J.A. Jayalal.
