TAIPEI: As the coronavirus pandemic takes a rapidly increasing toll on the health and well-being of people around the world – as well as the global economy and social fabric more broadly – Taiwan has won widespread recognition for its impressive performance in dealing with the crisis.
Relying on a combination of preparedness, technology, and transparency, Taiwan has managed to limit the number of reported cases and deaths – at numbers far fewer than in neighbouring countries.
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A key element in Taiwans preparedness was the lessons learned from its devastating experience with the SARS epidemic in 2003, which caused 71 deaths on the island of 23 million people.
Seeing that the initial response to SARS was hampered by the lack of a centralised decision-making body to take charge during a health crisis, Taiwan later that year authorised the creation of a Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) to coordinate across government departments and mobilise necessary resources during future crises.
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TAIWANS MEASURES TO FIGHT COVID-19
To fight COVID-19, the administration of President Tsai Ing-wen activated the CECC as early as Jan 20, with the Minister of Health and Welfare designated as the commander.
Over the following weeks, the CECC put scores of measures into effect to aid in containing the disease and preventing its spread into the general community. This included screening incoming travellers for fever and implementing a system of rationing face masks to prevent hoarding.
The steps also included mandatory self-quarantine for people who had recently traveled to affected parts of the world, while self-isolation was recommended for those who had come in contact with potentially exposed individuals. The existing neighbourhood warden system facilitated enforcement of the quarantines and helped deliver meals and other assistance to those who needed it.
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People wait in long lines to buy face masks in order to protect themselves from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), outside a pharmacy in Taipei, Taiwan on Mar 17, 2020. (Photo: REUTERS/Ann Wang)
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Border controls were also implemented. Beginning Feb 6, Taiwan started prohibiting entry by anyone who had been in China or Hong Kong during the previous 14 days.
The restrictions were imposed on more countries and areas as the coronavirus spread, and by Mar 19 the travel ban had been extended to nearly all foreigners without Taiwanese residence certification.
All travellers returning from abroad are now required to undergo two weeks of self-quarantine.
But of concern is the estimated 50,000 undocumented workers from Southeast Asia, many of them serving as caregivers for the elderly and infirm. To overcome their reluctance to come forward when in need of treatment, civic organisations are urging the government to provide amnesty for their illegal immigration status.
USING DATA AND WINNING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE
Also playing an important role in constraining the spread of the virus has been Taiwans strong background in information technology.
Databases belonging to the National Health Insurance Administration, National Immigration Agency, and Customs Administration were integrated, allowing artificial intelligence and big data techniques to be employed to identify those at greatest risk through their travel and medical history.
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Hotlines were made available to provide accurate advice for people who fear that they or their loved ones are showing COVID-19 symptoms, and with the help of the police, mobile phone records were used to track the social contacts of those infected with the coronavirus.
Taiwanese citizens, normally sensitive about personal data privacy, seemed to accept the more aggressive policy as necessary for the public good.
In addition, the openness of the governments communications strategy has been instrumental in maintaining public confidence. Televised daily media briefings by Health Minister Chen Shih-chung in his capacity as CECC chief have had a calming influence.
The public also found it reassuring that the countrys vice president, Chen Chien-jen – a noted Johns Hopkins University-trained epidemiologist – has been part of the policymaking process. As head of the health authority in 2003, he was considered one of the heroes of the SARS incident.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen speaks about the coronavirus situation in Taiwan, during a news conference at the Centers for Disease Control in Taipei, Taiwan on Feb 7, 2020. (Photo: REUTERS/Fabian Hamacher)
The relative optimism has extended to the international business community in Taiwan, as seen in the results of the 2020 Business Climate Survey of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei. It was conducted between mid-January and mid-February, as the severity of the epidemic was becoming more apparent.
Still, more than 70 per cent of respondents expressed confidence in Taiwans prospects for solid economic growth when looking at a three-year timeframe.
INTERNATIONAL IMPLICATIONS
In China, the delay in taking action and suppression of information about the COVID-19 crisis only seemed to exacerbate the situation Read More – Source
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