According to reports monitored from GRTS on Tuesday, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tamsir Mbowe, is presently taking part in the World Health Assembly underway in Geneva.

Other health ministers and representatives around the world are attending the forum, which commenced on Monday 14 and ends on 25 May this year.

In his address to the delegates at the opening ceremony on Monday, Secretary of State Tamsir Mbowe reiterated Gambia’s support for the inclusion of Taiwan’s application for membership on the agenda of the World Health Assembly.

Dr Mbowe said the constitution of the World Health Organization calls for the attainment of the highest level of health for all people.

The WHO would do a great disservice if it fails to admit Taiwan, a vibrant and resourceful nation, into the WHO, the Gambian Health Secy said.

He told delegates that Taiwan has all the credentials of statehood and a source of development assistance in the area of health and many other sectors for developing countries.

Dr Mbowe said the continued isolation of Taiwan from the WHO is an infringement on the rights of its 23 million people and disservice to the global health system.

Meanwhile, The Gambia has voted for Taiwan’s inclusion in the global health body during the plenary sessions.