I would like to thank you for your invitation in commemoration of 50th Anniversary of Vietnam Medical Association. Vietnam and Korea have long history of favorable relationship, which dates back to the 13th century. The Vietnam War got in the way for a while, but our two countries are cooperating as comprehensive partners again since the treaty of amity in 1992. I believe this cooperative relationship between the two countries would be developed further in various fields, including medical sciences and technologies.

I also believe that the cooperation among the countries in Asia will gain more of importance as a regional block, and I have a confidence that the Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania, as an NGO, could take an important role for this. Today, I am very pleased to take this opportunity to deliver my lecture on the role of CMAAO in Asian countries.

The CMAAO was established in 1956. Through its history of almost half a century, it has been in the forefront of fostering cooperation and scientific exchanges among medical associations in the Asia and Oceania. The number of member countries continues to be increased up to 16. Its main goal is to enhance medical standards and better access to healthcare by promoting mutual exchanges of information on health issues among member countries and of advanced medical technology. It also plays the role as a regional representative of the World Medical Association, maintaining collaborative relationships with the WHO and other health related international organizations.

One of the CMAAO's important roles, specially related with the WMA, is to preserve the traditional value, such as establishment of medical ethics guidelines and maintenance of professional autonomy. The CMAAO has adopted various resolutions at each congress and they had been reflected on the healthcare policy in its respective National Medical Associations. It has come to my attention in the process of collecting information on healthcare status of each member countries as the President-Elect of CMAAO that each faces with similar problems. These problems should be brought to the level of CMAAO or to the framework of WMA and all members need to pool their wisdoms. With the current breakthrough in stem cell research and human cloning, the importance of medical ethics will be doubled and governmental intervention into medical autonomy as a way of medical cost control will also become severe. All these outlooks suggest that CMAAO should step up its role in this part. To deal with this goal, it is very encouraging us and supportive that one of CMAAO member associations has produced the next President of WMA, Dr. Arumugam, the past President of Malaysian Medical Association.

Apart from these long-term roles and obligations, the CMAAO has tangible advantage to measure up to pending medical issues of the region. When SARS and Avian Influenza (AI) hit all over the Asia in 2003, the CMAAO set up information network right out of the gate and shared relevant information of respective member countries. When Tsunami struck South East Asia last December, there was an immediate fund-raising movement on the level of CMAAO and about USD 50,000 was collected. This Tsunami Fund is expected to be granted to Sri Lanka Medical Association, the most seriously affected country in accordance with the decision made at the 24th CMAAO Congress. Moreover, Indonesian Medical Association and Korean Medical Association teamed up to dispatch emergency medical teams to tsunami affected areas, leaving a good precedent of bilateral cooperation between CMAAO member associations in disaster emergency.

However, the CMAAO has some challenges to be able to further leap forward based on the achievements so far. These challenges are the primary part I would like to focus on during my term as the CMAAO President.

First, the CMAAO needs to have competence to collect data and make them public. Achievement of this competence should be dealt with by strengthening information network and Early Diseases Alarm system through CMAAO website. Information on SARS and AI needs to be updated regularly and rolling up health data among member countries should be conducted without any reservation. It is certain that the information collated thru this website would be essential for collaboration and the data would be more useful for more people in this region and worldwide. We might also be able to open a new phase of cyber cooperation like exchanging CME programs, holding cyber symposium through CMAAO website.

Other than that, the CMAAO needs to take active policy to keep and extend the membership to the countries who do not take part in international forum actively like Pakistan and countries independent from the Soviet Union. At this point, I believe the Vietnam Medical Association also could join it in the nearest future.

I feel much pressure and burden to be the CMAAO President, at the time of difficulties caused by threats on professional autonomy, measures against aging society, new communicable diseases, etc. But I am sure this organization will always be on the right way as far as we keep reminding of the highest values and our mission to enhance health and happiness of human being.

Before closing, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the Vietnam Medical Association on its 50th anniversary and may I wish you all the prosperity and success in the future. Let us adhere to the primary obligations and rights as a physician, even though we may face with difficulties. Thank you.