Asia-Pacific hepatologists to convene in Bali

Asia-Pacific hepatologists to convene in Bali

Bali will host the 15th conference of the Asian Pacific Association for Study of the Liver (APASL).

Hepatologists from Asia and Pacific countries will convene there from Aug. 18 through Aug. 21 to exchange cutting-edge information on the latest research and discoveries on liver- related disease treatments.

Unggul Budihusodo, an internist/gastroenterohepatologist with the Jakarta-based University of Indonesia, said the annual gathering was also meant to upgrade the knowledge and skill of hepatologists to meet the challenge of the medical world.

"Early detection and correct prescription and treatment will work but doctors must update and exchange their knowledge so we can have many alternatives for the most effective treatment," he said during a press gathering last week.

The association was established in August 1978 in Singapore.

Now it has almost 5,000 members, covering the region from Manchuria in the north, to Australia (south), the Pacific Islands (east) and Iran (west).

For the upcoming conference, which will take place at Bali International Convention Center and Westin Resort Nusa Dua, some 1,200 physicians have already registered their participation.

Indonesia alone is still considered a country that has a medium-to-high prevalence of liver-related diseases, at around 4 percent to 34 percent. Last year, reports said that one in 20 Indonesians had liver-related diseases.

Worldwide, some two billion people had liver-related diseases of which some 350 million suffered chronically.

For further information about the scientific conference, visit www.apaslbali2005.com or e-mail apaslbali2005@cbn.net.id. --The Jakarta Post