Opening Of The 11th Asian & Oceanic Congress Of Neurology

26 Nov 2004

By Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister Of State For Information,Communications And The Arts And Health

Venue: The Suntec Convention Centre Ballroom

SPEECH BY DR BALAJI SADASIVAN,SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FORINFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS AND HEALTH, AT THE OPENING OFTHE 11TH ASIAN & OCEANIC CONGRESS OF NEUROLOGY, 26 NOVEMBER 2004,8.30 AM AT THE SUNTEC CONVENTION CENTRE BALLROOM

Dr Amado San Luis

President

Asian & Oceanian Association of Neurology

Dr William Carroll

Elected Trustee

World Federation of Neurology

A/Prof Lee Wei Ling

Director

National Neuroscience Institute

Dr Christopher Chen

Chairman

11^thAOCN Organising Committee

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen,

        I am delighted to be here this morning for the opening of the 11^thAsian & Oceanic Congress of Neurology. I would like to extend avery warm welcome to all the overseas speakers and participants at thisMeeting.

2         In Singapore, we are now faced with the disturbing demographic fact that our population is ageing rapidly due to an increase in life expectancy combined with a declining birth-rate. The average life expectancy at birth for Singaporeans has increased from 63 years in 1970 to 78.5 years in 2003. At the other end of the spectrum, the birth rate has been declining with the crude birth rate reaching 11.4 birthsper 1000 population in 2003, which is half of what it was in 1970. By 2030, 18% of our population will be above 65, compared to 8% in2003.  

3          We realise that many of the elderly will suffer from the chronic conditions associated with aging, there by flooding the health-care system with patients and presenting a clinical challenge for medical practitioners and the health care system.

4         Singapore is also undergoing anepidemiological shift. In the 1950's and 1960's, infectious diseases like tuberculosis and gastroenteritis were among the top leading causesof death in Singapore. Today, diabetes, stroke, ischemic heart diseases and cancer are the major conditions affecting Singaporeans, accountingfor more than 60% of all deaths.  

5          Nor are wealone in this change - the Asia Pacific region will see the highest increases in disease burden from heart disease, stroke and dementia in the coming decades.

6          In its reporton the Global Burden of Neurological Disease, the World Federation of Neurology's task force noted that 1 in 9 deaths worldwide is due to neurological disorders and that many of these diseases with high rates of mortality and morbidity are preventable. Moreover, due to ageingpopulations, the relative impact of neurological disorders, particularly stroke and dementia, will increase. This is especiallytrue for the developing world which has the highest incidence andprevalence of neurological disorders but the lowest number ofneurologists.

7          The glaringdisparity between the burden of disease and the lack of specialise dmanpower is evident in the Asian Oceanic region where developed nationssuch as Australia have a population to neurologist ratio of 51,900 compared to 90,500 and 107,000 respectively in newly industrialised nations such as South Korea and Singapore. Our Neurological colleaguesin Thailandand the Philippines have to cope with 329,000 and 556,000 potential patients and the numbers for the sub-continent are even more daunting with 2,280,000 for India and 4,750,000 fo Pakistan. It is a measure of their commitment to learning that our colleagues have found the time to come to Singapore for thismeeting!  

8          The stated purpose of the World Federation of Neurology to improve human health worldwide by promoting prevention and the care of persons with neurological disorders by:

Fostering the best standards of neurological practice;

Education; and

Facilitating research

9          The 11^th Asian & Oceanic Congress of Neurology is a shining example of how Neurologists from this region are fulfilling these laudable goals. This meeting brings together over 1000 Neurologists from all over ourregion. It is an excellent opportunity for delegates to meet each other, identify priorities for the region and to plan solutions together.

10       Singapore intends to be a medical hubfor the region and to drive development of the biomedical sciences through its various research institutions and clinical centres ofexcellence. I am glad to note that the local organisers of this meeting have had a history of engagement with their regional colleagues:

         Members of the Clinical Neuroscience Society have been actively contributing to the World Federation of Neurology, the ASEAN Neurological Association andother international bodies. The Clinical Neuroscience Society also has an on going bursary programme for short-term training attachments which has benefited many young trainees from the region.

         The National Neuroscience Institution has accepted clinical and research fellows from around the region and regularly organises academicmeetings targeted at a regional audience.

         The newly formed Chapter of Neurologists,

11        Finally, I wish all delegates an exciting and productive meeting.