The Republic of China (ROC) 🇹🇼 was a key founding nation of the World Health Organization (WHO), the pioneer that has significantly improved global public health in the modern era. The declaration promoting the establishment of the WHO was drafted by Dr. Szeming Sze, a national of the ROC.
The World Health Organization is now the world’s largest intergovernmental public health organization, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. According to the WHO Constitution, its objective is “the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.” The organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
During the conference that created the United Nations Charter, the representatives from Norway 🇳🇴, Brazil 🇧🇷, and the Republic of China 🇹🇼 (Dr. Szeming Sze) were the only physicians among all the national delegates. As a diplomat, Dr. Szeming Sze was not only involved in the founding of the UN 🇺🇳, but also concerned with global health issues. Utilizing the conference, he attempted to include global health issues on the agenda, but this attempt failed due to opposition from the United States 🇺🇸 and the United Kingdom 🇬🇧.
Based on a suggestion from the Indian 🇮🇳 representative, Dr. Szeming Sze and the Brazilian representative jointly proposed a declaration. On this foundation, the International Health Conference was subsequently held, which ultimately led to the creation of the World Health Organization, marking a major step forward for the health and civilization of all mankind on Earth.
Dr. Szeming Sze was educated at a private boarding school in the UK, later attended Cambridge University, and worked as a physician at the London Hospital, treating residents of the lower and middle classes of London. This experience sparked his focus on public service and public health. His father, Shi Zhaoji (Alfred Sze), was the first Ambassador of the Republic of China to the United States.