"If we are given the opportunity to join the WHO, we will not only benefit from the services and expertise of the world organization as a recipient country, but we can also become a donor country by providing quality medical service and medical education to the members of the WHO, " said Ma at the opening of the 2008 Global Forum for Health Leaders in Taipei.

He added that despite political constraints on the international stage, Taiwan has made efforts to implement the WHO's ideals globally, providing assistance to countries in need and collaborating with the international community.

For instance, Taiwan initiated the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) health working group and assisted the organization in establishing a travelers' electronic health record, Ma said.

The Taiwan International Health Action (Taiwan IHA) was established in 2006 for the purpose of providing emergency humanitarian medical assistance to other countries, he noted. It was active in providing aid to flood disaster areas in Ecuador in South America and also to the Sichuan earthquake area in China last May, he added.

Pointing out that these efforts were all in line with the policies of the United Nations, and particularly with those of the WHO, Ma vowed that Taiwan will continue to play a constructive role in the area of health care in the global village and provide health services not only in Taiwan but also in the world wherever it is able to do so.

"Illness and diseases are beyond borders. Compassion and humanity transcend language and race, " he said. "So we always consider our participation in the WHO and its related events, not a political issue, but a professional and human race issue."

Ma said that domestically, government and non-governmental organizations continue to work hard to improve local healthcare services, citing Taiwan's National Health Insurance and medical education as examples.

Titled "Health and Globalization: Challenges and Opportunities, " the two-day forum this year has drawn the participation of health officials and experts from more than 30 countries and will focus on Evidence Based Health Policy, Global Trend of Healthcare Quality and capacity-building for Disease Control.

The first Global Forum for Health Leaders was organized by the Department of Health under the Executive Yuan in 2005.