Three of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies have urged the WHO to include Taiwan in the International Health Regulations (IHR).

IHR is a legal framework for global infectious disease control.
 
 The three countries — El Salvador, Paraguay and Sao Tome and Principe — are among 34 member countries of the WHO Executive Board, which will have its 122nd session this week, revealed the director of Taipei Cultural and Economic Office in Geneva, Shen Lyu-shun.

Shen said the three allies would make the proposal without directly naming Taiwan by recommending to the executive board that the WHO include any countries and areas that are currently excluded from the IHR in order to close gaps in the global epidemic control and health-care network.

The foreign affairs ministry is seeking support from more countries for the proposal, Shen disclosed.

Meanwhile, the IHR was adopted in May 2005 by the World Heath Assembly (WHA) - the highest decision-making body of the WHO - and took effect in June of last year. The legal instrument requires all member states to report and address any public health emergencies of international concern.

Taiwan announced its voluntary adherence to IHR regulations in May 2005. However, the WHO, which does not recognize the Taiwanese government, has avoided direct contact with Taiwan and has excluded it from international health networks, Shen said. The proposal to include Taiwan in the IHR is a new bid, Shen said, adding that topics related to the IHR would be covered in the WHA Executive Board’s session tomorrow.