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[Readmission to International Pediatric Association: a review and perspective]
Insights
The Pediatric Association of the Republic of China rejoined international pediatric organizations in 1989 as "Chinese Taipei" after a forced exclusion. This return facilitates collaboration to improve child healthcare and research in Taiwan.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Global Health Policy
- Medical Association History
Context:
- The Pediatric Association of the Republic of China was established in 1960 to advance child health care, research, and education.
- The association was a member of the International Pediatric Association (IPA) and the Association of Pediatric Societies in South East Asian Region (APSSEAR).
- Political issues led to the association's exclusion from IPA and APSSEAR in the 1970s.
Purpose:
- To document the history of the Pediatric Association of the Republic of China's international engagement.
- To highlight the association's readmission to international bodies under the name "Chinese Taipei" in 1989.
- To outline future aspirations for enhanced international collaboration in child health.
Summary:
- Founded in 1960, the association actively participated in international pediatric congresses until its exclusion in 1973 due to political reasons.
- Despite exclusion, members continued to pursue excellence in clinical pediatrics and organized international meetings in Taiwan.
- In 1989, the association was readmitted to IPA and APSSEAR as "Chinese Taipei," regaining voting rights and international standing.
Impact:
- The readmission enables collaboration with international organizations like WHO and UNICEF.
- This facilitates the updating of clinical practices and engagement in global research programs.
- Aims to achieve improved child health outcomes, including subspecialization, better birth registration, children's medical centers, and health insurance coverage.
Abstract:
The Pediatric Association of the Republic of China, which was founded in 1960 for the promotion of child health care, research and teaching as well as of friendship among pediatricians, entered the International Pediatric Association (IPA) in May, 1961. This Association actively participated in the 10th to 13th International Congresses of Pediatrics (ICP) held in Lisbon 1962, Tokyo 1965, Mexico City 1968 and Vienna 1971, respectively. It also sent a group of delegates to the Ist Asian Congress of Pediatrics, organized by the Association of Pediatric Societies in South East Asian Region (APSSEAR), held in Manila in 1974. Regretably, this Association was forced out of IPA in October 1973, and APSSEAR in 1974, simply because that the pediatric society of Mainland China had been admitted to the IPA. The members of the Association continued working hard and strived for the excellence in clinical pediatrics. Our members were encouraged to attend the international meetings regardless of membership problems. Some international meetings were organized and held in Taiwan attracting many experts and investigators from abroad. In July 1989, this Association was readmitted to the IPA under the name of "Chinese Taipei", likewise in Olympics, during the 19th ICP, held in Paris. Also granted was the right of voting. Re-admission to the APSSEAR was also approved. With gratitude and rejoice, we commemorate the return to International arena. It is hoped that more expert advices and friendship will come from IPA, WHO, UNICEF, and some member countries. They may help us update clinical practices, and engage in more important surveys and research programmes, such as the international surveys on pediatric education, expanded programmes for immunization, and global accident prevention programmes. They may also help us achieve our unfulfilled tasks, such as pediatric subspecialization, renovation of the births registration system, founding of children's medical centers and health insurance coverage among children. We are now in a better position to advocate the child health care in Taiwan, hoping that health for all including children will be achieved by the year 2000.