Update on AFCMA Activities

Following is an update from Dr Freddie Loh, President of AFCMA:-
I will give you a brief outline of some of the AFCMA activities for the past year.
(1) Relocation of MAI KHOI CLINIC in HCMC, Vietnam. I am glad to inform you that The Catholic Doctors Association of Malaysia (CDAM), Japan Catholic Medical Association (JCMA) led by Dr. Buichi Ishijima together with the Catholic Doctors of Western Australia represented by Dr. Leonard Chan and Dr. Michael Shanahan we managed to raise sufficient funds for our Vietnamese colleagues led by Father John Toai for the latter to relocate their HIV Clinic to new premises in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
(2)Year 2009 was not a good year for our Asian countries.
a) first of all we were all affected by the HINI flu epidemic. Some countries were badly affected resulting in numerous deaths. Our members helped their own countries by giving vaccinations, Tamiflu treatment and advising their Church authorities and the public on preventive measures.
b)Natural disasters also affectedour countries and especially Typhoon Ketsana in the Phillipines and Padang earthquake caused massive damage and loss of lives to the affected countries. CDAM and CHAK (Catholic Health Associations of Korea including the KFCMA (Korean Federation of Catholic Medical Associations) responded magnificently by donating cash to the Catholic Physicians Guild of the Phillipines (CPGP) led by Dr. Edna Monzon and Perdhaki (Association of Catholic Hospitals in Indonesia) led by Dr. Felix Gunawan for them to use for emergency relief work for their countrymen.
c) We are pleased to inform you that we have prepared our own AFCMA letterhead (by courtesy of Dr. K. Y. Chong) which will be used for official functions.
Future Events: a) I must remind you to attend the Lourdes Congress Organised by FIAMC from 6-9 May 2010. The theme for the Congress is "Medicine and Faith". This will be a wonderful opportunity forus go to Lourdes for our Pilgrimage besides attending the scientific sessions. Registration fee is only Euro 350. Closing date for registration is Mid. March 2010. Please register online:
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/theillier/index.htm.
b) the 15th AFCMA Congress will be held in Bali, Indonesia in 2012. ICMC(Indonesian Catholic Medical Community) headed by Dr. Ignatius Widjaja and Perdhaki will be co-hosting the event. Dr. Albert Hendarta is the Organising chairman. Proposed theme is "The Challenges of Catholic Doctors in the Changing World".
Challenges: We need to get more member countries/members to join us. Unfortunately we have lost touch with our members from India, Thailand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. We hope that you can help Dr. Jang Sang Park (Korea) and myself on this matter.
c) Code of Ethics for Catholic Physicians and other Health Care Workers. Dr. Edna Monzon and her Bioethical Committee will be preparing this important booklet for us to prepare us and advise us on bioethical issues involving the Church's Teachings.
Finally iI hope that you will inform us on any important matters involving your country and share it with us eg. The Guild of St. Luke, St. Cosmos and St. Damian organised a sccesful Medical Outreach Program "The Myanmar Missionary Trip 2009". Sister Mary Lou is busy with her Hamdan project in China. Dr. John Lee the Head of our Medical Missions Overseas has finally completed the building of FIAMC's Hospital in Aceh, Indonesia, etc..
Have a Blessed and Joyous Christmas and may HE guide us to do HIS WILL so that others will recognise us by our words and actions.
With love from Christ,
Dr. Freddie Loh,
President AFCMA.