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WHAT 1S APSSEAR?
The Association of Pediatric Societies of the Southeast Asian
Region (APSSEAR) was first formed on 25th April 1974 by a group
of Asian paediatricians with visions of unity and were keen to have
a regional organisation. APSSEAR became affiliated with the International
Paediatric Association (IPA) and eventually became "one of the most
effective regional paediatric associations in IPA" (quote from Professor
Michael Gracey, President of IPA).
Committee Members
In the 26 years of its existence,
the President changed with each Asian Congress of Pediatrics (ACP)
- the last ACP saw the transition from Dr Chok-Wan Chan (Hong Kong)
to Dr Hung-Chi Lue (Taiwan). The only constant executive committee
members were the Secretary-General, Prof Perla Santos Ocampo and
the Treasurer, Dr Lino Edralin Lim from the Philippines. Dr Santos
Ocampo was assisted by Dr Lulu Bravo, also from the Philippines.
During the loth ACP, Dr Santos Ocampo ended her tenure as Secretary
General and was nominated as Honorary President and affectionately
called the "Mother of APSSEAR by Dr Chok-Wan Chan. The newly elected
Secretary-General is Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Sham Kasim. He will be assisted
by Prof Zulkifli Ismail, and the Treasurer is Dr Koh Chong Tuan.
With this announcement, the APSSEAR secretariat will move from the
Philippines to Malaysia. In addition to the honour of being the
secretariat, we also have a great responsibility in trying to continue
the good work of the Philippines - all eyes will be on us for the
next few years and the yardstick of measurement is the secretariat
in the Philippines.
Member countries
APSSEAR member countries total
20 with New Zealand being the eastern-most and Pakistan in the west.
Brunei is set to join as the 2ist member country. With such a wide
geographical distribution, there was a resolution to change the
name to encompass other countries not in the Southeast Asian region.
We'll just have to wait for the decision of a select committee of
past presidents led by Dr Perla Santos Ocampo to see what new name
will replace the familiar APSSEAR. Among the Past-Presidents is
our own Dato' Dr Sam Abraham.
APSSEAR Contribution
APSSEAR organises the Asian Congress of Pediatrics every three
years. It has also published a silver jubilee book (Challenges and
Opportunities for Child Health in the New Millennium) on APSSEAR
over the last 26 years. Three editions of "The State of Asian Children"
have also been published with the third edition being released at
the loth ACR Pre-Congress workshop recommendations are sent to various
agencies through the International Paediatric Association (IPA)
so that they can be made accessible to all and implementation can
be effected. A newsletter is also sent to all member countries.A
new journal tentatively named Asia-Oceania Journal of Paediatrics
and Child Health will be launched soon. With the move of the secretariat
to Malaysia in the beginning of the 2ist century, the support of
all paediatricians is sought to make it a success.
Berita MPA April 2000
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