Minister Been-Huang Chiang of the Ministry of Health and Welfare is leading a delegation to attend the 68th World Health Assembly (WHA) to be held between May 18 and May 26 and gave a speech at the plenary session of the WHA this morning (5/20) Geneva time. The theme of this year’s plenary is Building Resilient Health Systems. During last year’s (2014) ebola outbreak in West Africa, the substantial amount of resources invested into ebola prevention actually led to a shutdown in other epidemic prevention and non-communicable disease prevention work. Therefore, to guard against similar threats from emerging diseases or natural disasters in the future, the World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed the advance establishment of health systems with the ability to respond to emergency incidents. It is hoped that discussion and sharing at the WHA plenary and consideration of experiences around the globe can serve as references for the establishment of comprehensive health care systems. Minister Chiang first responded to the theme of the plenary, stating that from the ebola experience, we have learned that humanity’s defense against infectious diseases relies heavily on the preparedness of health care systems. A common issue globally is how to use resource sharing and mutual support with integrated response mechanisms to maintain existing health systems while simultaneously providing high-quality health care. During last year’s ebola outbreak, Taiwan participated actively in prevention work together with the international community. In addition to providing personal protective equipment and donations, Taiwan also sent health care workers to the United States to receive education and training on ebola infection prevention and control. Simultaneously, Taiwan also cooperated with the United States this year to establish the Ebola Prevention Training Center to cultivate physicians to combat ebola in Asia-Pacific countries. Additionally, to expand its response to global health challenges, Taiwan joined the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) in 2009, bringing it closely in line with global standards for epidemic prevention systems. Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) is world-renowned. Coverage has reached 99.8% since the NHI began. Through numerous major disasters, Taiwan’s health care system has had strong backing from the NHI, allowing it to provide powerful social support functions and establish a social security system for comprehensive health care. Through focusing on primary care functions, local medical supplies in communities have been deepened, forming a comprehensive medical services delivery system and ensuring the accessibility of treatment for the people. In addition, an emergency medical network has been established to provide appropriate acute and critical care services. Simultaneously, a communicable disease prevention network has been established for joint responses to emergencies and disasters. The integration of the aforementioned networks provides the medical and health systems of Taiwan with the capability to adapt and deal with new challenges. Finally, Minister Chiang emphasized that Taiwan is striving to contribute its health resources and professionalism to the global community. It hopes that its good intentions will not go unnoticed and that it can meaningfully expand its participation in the WHO’s conferences, mechanisms, and events with dignity. Taiwan wishes to partner with the WHO and countries around the world to strengthen health systems to respond to future global challenges.