The present issue of the JMAJ features the 30th General Assembly and 51st Council Meeting of the Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania (CMAAO) held on September 23-25, 2015, in Yangon, Myanmar hosted by the Myanmar Medical Association.
Of the 18 National Medical Associations (NMAs) of the CMAAO, 14 medical associations, Australia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand took part in the meetings. The total number of participants in the General Assembly was about 60. Dr. Ardis Hoven, Chair of Council of the World Medical Association (WMA) and Dr. Otmar Kloiber, Secretary General of WMA were invited as international guests to deliver greetings. At the 13th Taro Takemi Memorial Oration, Professor Pe Thet Khin, former Union Minister of Health of Myanmar (2011 to 2014) and current Chairman of the National Health committee gave a speech under the theme of “Ensuring Food Safety: An important challenge today”. In a symposium which followed the Takemi Oration, each NMA delivered a presentation under the same theme. All of the participating NMAs gave their annual Country Report which followed the symposium.
At this General Assembly, there was no application for a new member to join the CMAAO.
New CMAAO President and Officers
Professor Rai Mra, President of the Myanmar Medical Association was installed as the 33rd President of CMAAO and received a Presidential medal from his predecessor, Dr. Jose Asa Sabili, former President of the Philippine Medical Association. Dr. Prasert Sarnvivad, President of the Medical Association of Thailand was elected as President-Elect, and Dr. Yoshitake Yokokura, President of the Japan Medical Association was elected as the 1st Vice President. Dr. Dong Chun Shin (Korean Medical Association), Dr. Yeh Woei Chong (Singapore Medical Association) and Dr. Masami Ishii retained the posts of Chair, Vice-Chair of Council and Secretary General, respectively.