KOROR (Palau Horizon) — President Tommy Remengesau said Palau will continue to support Taiwan’s bid to become a member of the World Health Organization.
“Politics aside, Taiwan has definitely the resources and capabilities to participate effectively in WHO programs. The international community can really benefit tremendously from the medical participation of Taiwan in WHO,” Remengesau said in an interview.
Palau is one of the few nations in the world that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which calls itself the “Republic of China,” but is considered by China as its renegade province.
Remengesau cited the successful surgery of two Palauan patients who received free treatment in Taiwan as “the beginning of closer medical cooperation” between the two countries.
Taiwan provided free treatment to one-year-old Delson Ngeduu and two-year-old Reign Kazuyuki, who underwent corrective surgery for cleft palate last May 8 at the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital through the assistance extended by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Far East Air Transport offered free tickets for the patients and their parents.
Taiwan has been providing medical assistance to Palau. Between Sept. 2001 and Jan. 2002., at least seven Taiwanese physicians went to Palau to provide medical services.
“Palau will continue to support Taiwan’s membership to WHO because the help of any nation should not be corrupted in the politics of governance,” the president said.
