| James Kon |
OVER 600 faculty members and delegates from Asean, in addition to Australia, China, India, Europe and the United States, are currently in Brunei Darussalam to share information on health-related issues at the 22nd Asean Federation of Cardiology Congress (AFCC).
Officially launched by Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi, the opening ceremony also witnessed the convocation for the Asean College of Cardiology Fellowship and the Sukarman Memorial Lecture, presented by Dr Prasart Loathavorn from the Heart Association of Thailand.
In his welcoming remarks, Brunei Cardiac Society President Dato Paduka Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar noted that the three-day congress is being held in conjunction with the Brunei Cardiac Society Annual Scientific Meeting and Gleneagles JPMC Congress, which happens to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Asean and the Golden Jubilee Celebration of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s Accession to the Throne.
He added, “We need to work together towards more mutual collaborations to keep our hearts beating.”
Dr Sofian bin Dato Paduka Haji Johar, the Organising Chair of the 22nd AFCC, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to the organising committee for their hard work, and welcomed the delegates to the congress.
Asean Federation of Cardiology (AFC) President Datuk Dr Richard Ng added, “Since its establishment in 1973, the Asean Federation of Cardiology has enjoyed close cooperation, as well as useful methods of exchanges and practice, for the benefit of improving healthcare for the Asean community.
“With all 10 Asean member countries fully participating actively in the progress of the AFC, we are now hosting an annual congress in a rotational manner to organise and showcase, as well as share cardiology practices, research and publications.”
He also expressed his pleasure to see the society hosting the congress for the first time, while also highlighting rapid progress of the society under the joint leadership of Dato Paduka Dr Haji Mohd Isham and Dr Sofian.
The first day of the event featured senior members from the European Society of Cardiology sharing their best practices, while leading experts from the United States gave a demonstration of 3D echocardiography in the evaluation of heart disease.
The second day will showcase live cases from the Gleneagles JPMC, in addition to a session led by the European Society of Cardiology and the Echo ASE Asean.
The third and final day will cover talks and lectures ranging from ECG sessions, hypertension and the Asian-Pacific Heart Rhythm Society.
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