Press Release of the Summit (English)

The Summit of Ophthalmological Societies of ASEAN Countries 

The Study Room, The Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok, Thailand

May 18, 2013, 09.00 - 17.00 hrs

 

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists of Thailand (RCOPT) is hosting the Summit of Ophthalmological Societies of ASEAN Countries on May 18, 2013 to establish ASEAN Ophthalmology Society (AOS). Supported by Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the summit is part of the preparation for professional cooperation ahead of the forthcoming ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 and represents part of RCOPT’s contribution to the Medical Hub policy of the Thai government.  

 

The event will be honored by the presence of H.E. Mr. Pradit Sinthavanarong, the Minister of Public Health. Other high ranking Thai officials attending the event include Dr. Wilawan Juengprasert, Director General of Department of Medical Services, Dr. Anant Setpakdee, Deputy Director General of Department of Medical Services, Dr. Tares Krassanairawiwong, Deputy Director General of Department of Health Service Support, and Dr. Udom Chaowarin, Acting Director of Rajavithi Hospital.

 

During the summit, the representatives of Ophthalmological Society of ASEAN member countries (Brunei, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand) will sign the Memorandum of Understanding to establish ASEAN Ophthalmology Society (AOS). The signing will be witnessed by H.E. Mr. Pradit Sinthavanarong, the Minister of Public Health. Dr. Paisan Ruamviboonsuk, The President of RCOPT, will be representing Thailand in the signing.  

 

The objectives of AOS are to promote prevention of blindness activities and restoration of sight through teaching, research, service and any other ways for patients in the region, to support national societies of ASEAN countries for education, research, and academic purposes, to disseminate and promote works of ASEAN ophthalmologists in international forum, to collaborate with other international or regional organizations with similar aims, and to organize and hold regional congresses or other conferences and such other educational and scientific activities. 

 

The ASEAN representatives will also discuss drafting the AOS constitution and future plan to hold its first academic conference in 2014. Dr. Paisan Ruamviboonsuk states that this is the first time for the cooperation in the ophthalmological field at ASEAN level. The ASEAN Economic Community really represents a wider opportunity for member countries to foster cooperation in many professional fields. The ophthalmological cooperation will help expand the scope of medical cooperation in ASEAN since there have already been regional cooperation in certain areas, such as cardiovascular and medical student. 

 

The AOS will contribute to the Thai government’s policy to promote excellence in medical field as part of its agenda to develop Thailand into a Medical Hub, added the President of RCOPT. 

 

 

 

Supported by 

 

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)