By Assoc Prof Dr Azian Abdul Aziz
 

The 11th Asian & Oceanic Society of Paediatric Radiology (AOSPR) Congress in conjunction with the 3rd National Congress of Indonesian Society of Paediatric Radiology (PDSRAI) was held from 10-12 November 2011 in Kartika Plaza Discovery Hotel, Bali, Indonesia. The theme for the congress was “Update in Paediatric Radiology: Hand-in-Hand Facing the Future”.

The congress was well attended by local participants together with a considerable number from overseas, including 5 delegates from Malaysia. The Malaysian radiologists were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azian Abd. Aziz and Dr. Radhiana Hassan (International Islamic University Malaysia), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hamzaini A. Hamid (UKM Medical Centre) and Dr. Khatrulnada and Dr. Fatimah Hussin (Queen Elizabeth Hospital, KK). Four posters were presented from the Malaysian delegates, which were:
 

A total of 74 posters and oral papers were presented during the Congress. Three categories of awards were presented. These were Best Scientific Paper, Best Oral Presentation and Best Poster Presentation. The poster by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azian won the 3rd Prize Fujioka Award for Poster Presentation.

The speakers in this Congress comprised of Paediatric Radiologists from around the Asia Oceanic regions with 3 speakers from the USA talking on various aspects of Paediatric Radiology including an important area that general radiologists tend to forget, that of radiation dose and issues. “Image Gently” was well covered by Prof. Dr. Dorothy Bulas.

The Annual General Meeting that took place during the Congress saw some changes in the Board Members in accordance with the constitution. The Malaysian representative remained Prof. Dr. Datin Sazilah Ahmad Sarji, from University Malaya. Members were informed the next AOSPR will be in Manila, Philippines, from 4 - 6 October 2012. Hong Kong will host the AOSPR 2013.

The Indonesians, known for their amazing hospitality entertained the Congress participants from the very first day with their traditional Balinese dance during the Opening Ceremony. The organiser then whisked the speakers and overseas delegates to a beautiful resort, ‘The Royal Pita Maha’ in Ubud, located 2 hours away from the Congress venue to be entertained by more varieties of Balinese dances and dinner treat. Although the 2- hour journey was quite tiring, the grandiosity of the luxury resort and the traditional entertainment and sumptuous dinner was worth the trip. What was even more exciting was the fact that our 2 buses that ferried us were escorted all the way and back by a police car with siren! We all felt like prince and princesses!!!

Delegates, their families and spouses also took some time off from the congress to visit some of the tourist spots and beaches which are the epitome of Bali and also indulging in the well-known Balinese massages and spa.

All in all, the Congress attended by about 250 participants was well organized and hats off to the Organizing Committee for a job well done.

Till we meet again in AOSPR 2012 in Manila………’MABUHAY’………..