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Dear Colleagues,

At the outset, let me greet one and all a HAPPY EASTER!

The last quarter of 2007 was spent recovering from the wonderful events of the 2007 Golden Jubilee AOCOG congress in Tokyo, Japan. Memories may have dimmed but they certainly linger on. The other event worth mentioning was the COGI 10 meeting in Shanghai, China (November 7-11, 2007) which was held with the endorsement of the AOFOG. There was an AOFOG session on “Preterm Labor - the Asian Perspective”. The invitation for China to join AOFOG was again issued but the “political issue” seems insurmountable at the moment. Perhaps, the next generation of our O&G colleagues will be more resilient. But, silently I ask, must it take another generation?

2008 much like any other new year started with an Action Plan Meeting on 5 January 2008 in the beautiful tropical scenery of Shangrila Mactan Hotel, Cebu, Philippines. The local Cebu chapter of the Philippine Obstetrical & Gynecological Society hosted a half day seminar on 4 January 2008 with the Executive Board members as the scientific speakers and this was followed by a sumptuous dinner at the Casino Espanol.

5 January was spent working on the Action Plan for 2008 up to the time of the 2009 AOCOG in Auckland, New Zealand. Highlights of the meeting were –

Three new advocacies will be rolled out by the Federation this year –

Safe Surgery Saves Lives – The WHO, the prime mover of this movement, had invited AOFOG to be a member of this advocacy since new statistics have shown that deaths due to surgery are mounting. Deputy Sec Gen Dr Kurian Joseph and wife Dr Rekha represented the federation in the initial meeting in Geneva, Switzerland last January 9. Basically, there will be a world-wide move to promote surgical, anesthetic and nursing checklists to ensure surgery is performed safely. The next meeting will be in Washington, DC with Dr Kurian, Rekha and Prof Rohan Bhatt attending. We thank them for representing AOFOG at their own expense.
Cervical Cancer Awareness – The Inaugural AOFOG Cancer Awareness Project kicks off in Singapore on May 1-3, 2008 under the aegis of the AOFOG Gyn Oncology Committee headed by Dr. Tay Eng Hseon. All national societies have been invited to give their visionary reflections on how to help spread awareness on this cancer. This event also gives AOFOG officers precious time to bond with the officers and members of the O&G Society of Singapore. Other national societies are then expected to launch their own national advocacies in trying to conquer cervical cancer. Dr EH and his crew from KK Hospital assisted by the OGSS are funding this initial project.
The 5 P’s Project – (Preterm Labor, Preeclampsia, Prelabor Rupture of Memberanes, Postpartum Hemorrhage and Pregnancy Infections). Initially conceived as a pilot project for Laos, the project under the wing of the AOFOG Committee on Maternal & Perinatal Health headed by Prof Tsuyomu Ikenoue will hold the initial workshop in Karachi, Pakistan on April 28-30, 2008. Ably supported by Committee member Dr Shyam Desai, a curriculum template will be tested for future implementation in other national societies wishing to hold such workshops. AOFOG is funding workshops like these.

Committee Reports.

Oncology and Maternal & Perinatal Health – (as above)
REI – A follow-up meeting on Preventing Unsafe Abortions was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka to discuss how to further spread the declarations made in Tokyo. The committee’s ART survey is in full swing and we request all national societies to join in this effort.
Urogynecology – AOFOG has linked with IUGA (International Urogynecolgy Association for what is called the IUGA eXchange, an international advocacy on “Training the Trainors”. The pilot project was held in Manila, Philippines on March 6-8, 2008.
Ultrasound and Endoscopy – Courses are scheduled throughout the region.
Reproductive Biology – Formulate plans on how to help with the various advocacies of the AOFOG.
Fellowship Selection – It was nice to see Past President Suporn Koetsawang offer his plans for the committee.

AOFOG Educational Fund:

Currently, it stands at US$ 139 thousand, we are optimistic that we will increase it as the months roll by. We have received notice that RANZCOG and JSOG members have collected sizable donations from their members. Hooray! I hope the other national societies have their own fund drives.

Important dates to remember: