ON TO SINGAPORE

The 1^st quarter of 2002 has passed. Possibly a good time to reflect on what has passed and to plan on what is forthcoming.

The recent past has given me the opportunity to see several of our member societies in action. Aside from my native Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS), I have seen several O&G associations --- the Royal Australian New Zealand College (RANZCOG), Hong Kong Society (HKSOG), Japan Society (JSOG) and the Taiwan Association (TAOG) of Obstetrics and Gynecology. These societies have well entrenched political structures with their respective annual meetings and academic activities.

The future shall see me visiting Singapore, Vietnam, India and Pakistan. In fact, this coming 6-7 April, there will be the Inaugural meeting of the SSRatnam Foundation Workshop in Singapore and it is an opportune time to hold the 1^st Executive Board Meeting for 2002. Priorities to be discussed are :

a)     Congresses and Meetings:

a.      the preparations for the AOFOG Congress in Bangalore, India this coming September,

b.      whether to proceed with the pre-congress meeting in Karachi, Pakistan,

c.      whether to proceed with the 2004 congress in Cairo, Egypt and the pre-congress in 

       Jerusalem,

b)     AOFOG Political Structure

a.      Council appointments

b.      Committee Reviews

c.      Review of constitution

c)      Educational Thrusts for 2002 (Mechanics & Funding)

d)     Young Gynecologist and Young Scientist Awards

e)     AOFOG Budget

I shall keep you posted on what transpired in Singapore in the next issue of this homepage letter.

Fraternally,

Prof Walfrido W Sumpaico, MD

Secretary General