download - Malaysian Thoracic Society

AnnuAl Congress of MAlAysiAysi
An ThorAC
iC soCieTy
anniversary
MALAYSIAN THORACIC SOCIETY
Advancing Thoracic Medicine in Malaysia for 25 years
Message froM the President of the
Malaysian thoraCiC soCiety
Dear colleagues and friends,
On behalf of the Organizing Committee, a warm welcome to the Annual Scientific
Congress of the Malaysian Thoracic Society and The Lung Foundation Malaysia,
22 nd – 24 th July 2011 in Kuala Lumpur.
An excellent collection of scientific sessions has been prepared by the organizers
with the needs of practicing clinicians in mind. Interactive seminars, expert
plenary lectures and hot topic symposia will address practice points and common
clinical dilemmas and update you on the latest scientific developments in the field.
In keeping with its objectives of promoting research in the field of respiratory
medicine, a highlight of the programme is the oral and poster presentation sessions
which have been increased this year. In addition to annual awards for the best scientific presentations,
the Society is proud to announce the inaugural MTS Travel Awards, Continuous Medical Education grants
and the launching of the MTS Research Grants this year. The Society will also confer its inaugural Honorary
Membership on Tan Sri Arshad Ayub of the Lung Foundation of Malaysia, at the Congress Gala Dinner.
This year also is a special occasion as it marks the 25 th Anniversary of the Society. The Society was formed in
late 1986; the official inauguration was graced by His Royal Highness DYMM Seri Paduka Sultan Azlan Shah of
Perak Darul Ridzwan, who was also the patron of the society at the first MTS scientific meeting in June 1987.
The Society has since played an important role in the field of respiratory medicine in Malaysia. Apart from
organizing annual scientific congresses and regular continuing medical education (CME) activities as well as
seminars and workshops in respiratory medicine, the MTS has organised two major international conferences.
The Society first developed and published a set of clinical practice guidelines (CPG) on the management of
adult asthma in 1996, followed by guidelines on tuberculosis, and COPD, and has organised many CME activities
in almost all the states of Malaysia to disseminate the use of these management guidelines. The Society also
supports and co-organizes CME meetings with industry for the benefit of its members and holds activities to
raise public awareness. The MTS played a pivotal role in the formation of The Lung Foundation of Malaysia,
its philanthropic arm, which was formed and registered in 2006. Over the years, the Society’s membership has
grown from a few doctors to nearly 200 members today, with the inclusion of allied health professionals as
associate members. The MTS is also now the proud owner of the MTS office in the new Medical Academies
building. Apart from these developments, respiratory medicine is indeed an exciting field to be in 2011 as the
availability of new technologies has revitalized the field with exciting areas such as interventional pulmonology
and sleep medicine.
Kuala Lumpur is also an extremely vibrant and culturally diverse city that promises to provide you a memorable
stay. We also hope that you will initiate collaborations and network with fellow delegates. I would like to take
this opportunity to thank the Organizing Committee, under the stewardship of the Organizing Chairperson,
Associate Professor Dr Fauzi Anshar and Scientific Chairpersons, Associate Professor Dr Pang Yong Kek and
Dr Patrick Chan. Last but not least, we extend our thanks to The Lung Foundation of Malaysia and our industry
partners for their support in making this meeting possible.
Wishing you a fruitful and productive meeting.
With best wishes,
Associate Professor Dr Roslina A Manap
President
Malaysian Thoracic Society 2009-2011
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