The Belgian Chamber of Representatives passed a resolution on 16 July, calling on the Federal Government and the EU to support Taiwan’s democracy, strengthen bilateral relations, and encourage the country’s meaningful participation in international organisations. The resolution was adopted unanimously, by 130 votes to 0, with 13 abstentions. Introduced by members Georges Dallemagne and Els…
In a brotherly act of solidarity, King Mohammed VI of Morocco has given instructions for the delivery of medical aid to several African countries. This aid aims at providing preventive medical equipment to assist Morocco’s African neighbours in their efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a communiqué from the minister of foreign affairs,…
In a decision that places Foreign Policy on a higher level than Healthcare Policy and apparently more important to the Berlaymont than saving European lives, the European Commission has bottled its support for Taiwan to be granted observer status at the WHO this week. Taiwan, with the strong support of the United States, had lobbied…
Yesterday 4th May, the Commission registered €7.4 billion, equivalent to $8 billion, in pledges from donors worldwide during the Coronavirus Global Response pledging event. This includes a pledge of €1.4 billion by the Commission. This almost reaches the initial target of €7.5 billion and is a solid starting point for the worldwide pledging marathon, which begins today….
The WHO has published guidance on adjusting public health and social measures for the next phase of the COVID-19 response. Some governments have suggested that the detection of antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, could serve as the basis for an “immunity passport” or “risk-free certificate” that would enable individuals to travel…
By Dr. CHEN Shih-chung The threat of emerging infectious diseases to global health and the economy, trade, and tourism has never abated. Pandemics can spread rapidly around the world because of the ease of international transportation. Among the most salient examples are the Spanish flu of 1918, the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak of…
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) originated from Wuhan, China and now commands the attention of the world. Not because of the fatality rates of the victims who catch it, but because of the highly infectious nature of the virus and its rapid transmission across the world. This epidemic has claimed over 4,000 lives, it has infected…
Concern has been voiced about the impact on Taiwan of the coronavirus and serious questions have been asked about the country’s exclusion from taking part in international efforts to tackle the deadly disease. The virus has killed more than 210 people and more than 9,000 confirmed cases mainly in China. There have also been 9…
Health experts have thrown their weight behind calls for awareness-raising programmes and better product labelling for potentially hazardous material. The experts, meeting in Brussels for a high-level conference on lung cancer, highlight the “usefulness” of such campaigning in order to make the public better informed. Medical oncologist Ioannis Boukovinas, President of Hellenic Society of Medical…
In a year that will have a packed agenda, calls are being made for the health risks of Man-made Vitreous Fibres (MMVF), also known as mineral wool, to be prioritised, both by the European Union and the UK post-Brexit. MMVF is used for thermal and acoustic insulation in homes and businesses. Since asbestos was banned…
