program book

14 th AFCMA Congress 2008 Asian Federation Of Catholic Medical AssociationsWelcome Message from President of FIAMCDear Friends,It is my honour and privilege to greet you on behalf of the World Federation ofCatholic Medical Associations (FIAMC) to the 14th AFCMA Congress.AFCMA is one of the most vibrant and active federation in the family of FIAMC.While the membership of most federations has remained stagnant, AFCMA haswitness the historic addition of the first national Catholic healthcare associationfrom a Middle Eastern country. I have also been advised that for the first timethere will be delegates from Cambodia, Myanmar and China due primarily tothe vision and support of the organizers. In a continent where Christians are aminority and sometimes face persecution including death, the work of the Catholichealthcare workers is a manifestation of the prophetic presence of the CatholicChurch.I would like to congratulate the organizers on choosing a very appropriate theme,“Human Dignity in Modern Medicine”. In the light of recent developmentsincluding legalizing of physician assisted suicide in more states in the US andliberalizing of abortion laws in Australia, it is timely to remind ourselves thateach and every patient deserves to be treated with the outmost respect and dignityin conformity with the long cherished Christian values of the sanctity of life.Catholic physicians should follow the edifying example of Mother Teresa whotended to the most abjection of patients as though she was ministering to Jesus.The Catholic doctor should lead by example in treating his patient in a holisticmanner rather than as a case of cancer or schizophrenia.Dr José-Maria SimonPresidentWorld Federation of the Catholic Medical Associationsvi