Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR
Tarikh/Date : 10/01/96
Tajuk/Title : THE XI ASIAN PACIFIC FEDERATION
CONGRESS OF INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
OF SURGEONS
Firstly, I would like to thank the organising committee
of the XI Asian Pacific Federation Congress of International
College of Surgeons (ICS) for inviting me to officially open
the congress today. It is indeed an honour and a privilege
for Malaysia to be chosen to host this congress, which is
convened not only for the surgery meeting, but also for the
World Council Meeting of the ICS.
2. I am pleased to note that eminent personalities and
experts in the various branches of surgery are meeting in
Kuala Lumpur to give their views and critical appraisal on
surgical techniques and management to prepare for the next
century. The congress has been aptly themed "Surgery
Towards the 21st Century".
3. Tracing the history of medicine over the past 200
years, the progress that society has made can be closely
linked to the advances in science. Looking back at this
century, medical progress has been phenomenal compared to
the days of the `Medicine Man' and the "Barber Surgeon".
4. Indeed, the understanding of bacterial infections and
their conquest by anti-biotics; the concept of immunology
and its far reaching applications to blood transfusion,
immunisation, the prevention of viral infections; the
success of transplant surgery and the delaying of the ageing
process; the progress in endocrinology and its application
to human reproduction, contraception, the treatment of
disease and menopause; and many other advances highlight the
remarkable achievements made by society.
5. In addition, nuclear physics and pharmacology have
given us new tools to treat cancer, although cancer itself
remains unconquered. The advent of X-rays, thermography,
ultra-sound and magnetic resonance has made physical
imaging, fetal monitoring and therapeutic procedures not
only possible but also successful. In fact, it has made
surgical intervention more precise and less disfiguring.
6. Notwithstanding all these new discoveries, the
universally accepted principle in the practice of medicine
is that investigation and treatment should be as minimally
invasive as possible; that there should be very little pain;
and recovery should be rapid. With advances in endoscopic
techniques, fibre optics and laser, all these have been made
possible.
7. The advent of Invito-Fertilisation (IVF) in humans and
its success with the birth of Louise Brown in 1977 also
brought new hopes to the management of infertility. The
techniques are widely reproduceable although they are
neither simple, nor inexpensive, nor highly reliable to
produce a baby. IVF however does hold wider application in
medicine, the possibility of pre-implant, genetic diagnosis,
gene therapy and delayed conception. The results from
experiments with embryonic cells appear promising as they
may hold the key to tissue repair and in replacing diseased
or ageing organs.
8. Today, by far the most important development is the
advent of molecular biology. It has contributed towards
major advances in the understanding and treatment of
inherited disease and disease disposition. The discovery of
the variation of genes and mutations in the process of
carcinogenesis appears not only exciting but also a
promising development in the battle against disease. Further
research in this direction may even help to conquer the
deadly HIV virus.
9. As for today, looking at the audience, I am happy to
see that surgeons from all over the world are gathered here
to share their knowledge. Dr. Max Thorek conceived an idea
60 years ago and founded the International College of
Surgeons, an institution that would provide medical
knowledge to all parts of the world, knowing no boundaries
or prejudices. His dream has indeed become a reality,
probably far greater and more promising than he had
imagined.
10. It is a pleasure to note that in the ICS concept,
leadership positions are open to all persons regardless of
colour, creed, ethnicity or politics. Looking at the list
of office bearers, one can truly appreciate how
international the International College of Surgeons is.
am glad that Malaysia is also ably represented.
11. In achieving the goal of this congress, the
participants in their deliberations should take into
consideration the escalating costs of new techniques and its
effects on developing countries. They have to examine the
ethical and medico-legal implications of the new methods and
also to be sensitive to cultural and religious feelings.
12. Malaysia is striving to become a fully developed
nation. We therefore look forward to the next millennium,
in particular the year 2020 to achieve this aim. Our
progress shall be balanced; be it in education, industry or
new technology and shall be guided by our beliefs, moral
values and traditions. We welcome the free flow of
information and knowledge which can contribute towards our
progress. We also support research and development. The
International College of Surgeons is most welcome to
participate in our ever expanding sphere of medical
education, especially in the training of young surgical
scientists.
13. Up to now Malaysia has been quite free of the kind of
litigation mania found in many developed countries. We
appreciate the need to protect patients from incompetent and
careless treatment by the practitioners of medicine and
surgery. But excessive awards made by courts have resulted
in doctors either avoiding to help in accident cases, or
carrying out unnecessary and costly investigations or
charging very high fees in order to cover high insurance
premium. The result is that the poor are deprived of
medical treatment and even members of the middle income
group can be bankrupted by medical bills. Medical
insurances have become unaffordable and even Governments are
not in a position to provide basic medical care for the
people. We hope that we will remain free of this craze. We
must symphathise with the victims of irresponsible
practices, but the cost of this misguided sympathy, in terms
of deprivation of medical treatment, is infinitely higher.
Awarding ridiculously high compensations does no one any
good.
14. It is my hope that the delegates, especially those from
overseas, will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of our
country and a chance to experience the warm hospitality of
our people.
15. On this note, I have great pleasure to officially
declare open the XI Asian Pacific Federation Congress of
International College of Surgeons.
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