Commission on Asian and Oceanian Affairs

Aims

To develop, stimulate and coordinate the epileptology agenda in the Asian and Oceanian region.

• To advance and disseminate throughout the Asian & Oceanian region knowledge concerning the epilepsies;
• To improve education and training in the field of the epilepsies in Asia via the formation of the Asian Epilepsy Academy;
• To run the Asian Oceanian Epilepsy Congresses together with the International Director of Meetings (IDM) and IBE’s Regional Executive Committees;
• To facilitate clinically relevant epilepsy research in Asia;
• To serve as a link between ILAE, IBE, WHO, regional medical organizations to promote prevention, diagnosis, treatment, advocacy and care for all persons suffering from these disorders in the Asian and Oceanian region;
• To promote the activities of local chapters, encourage similar policies and administrative structures and facilitate their involvement within the global ILAE agenda;
• To review epilepsy services and the size of the treatment gap in each country and aim to improve the former and reduce the latter.

Commission Activities from January 1, 2006 until May 31, 2007

1. Administration
During the period from January 2006 to May 2007, there were 2 batches of officers for the Commission.  Before May 2006, the Commission was administered by the officers of 2001–2006.  Nomination and election of officers for 2006–2009 was carried out in the last quarter of 2005, and the new officers of CAOA took office officially in May 2006.

2. Business Meetings
As of June 2006, the CAOA 2006-2007, met two times to conduct its business.  The first meeting was held on 29th July 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, in conjunction with the meeting of the International Organizing Committee (IOC) and Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of the 6th Asian and Oceanian Epilepsy Congress (AOEC).  The second meeting was held on 15th November 2006 during the 6th AOEC in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  The next Business Meeting of CAOA will be held on 10th July 2007, during the 27th International Epilepsy Congress (IEC) in Singapore.

3. Chapter Convention
The Biennial Chapter Convention was held on Thursday, 16 November 2006, 11.30 am to 2.00 pm, at Room 304—305, Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  National delegates from the 16 ILAE Chapters in this region participated in this Convention.  In addition, representatives from non-Chapter countries including New Zealand, Vietnam, Laos, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, were invited and/or attended the Convention. 

It was decided at the Convention that AOEAC would not be formed.  Instead, the Asian and Oceanian Epilepsy Organization (AOEO), formed in 1995 before the formation of CAOA, would remain to facilitate the nomination and election of CAOA members once every 4 years.

4.  Planning for 7th Asian Oceanian Epilepsy Congress (AOEC)
The 7th AOEC will take place in Xiamen (“Summer Gate” in Chinese), Fujian Province, China, from 15 to 18 May 2008. The city was chosen as it has a reasonably good conference facility at relatively low cost, and has convenient connecting flights to and from many parts of Asia.  

CAOA-ASEPA is actively involved in the organization of the AOEC.  Like the previous two AOECs, this AOEC is organized by two Committees, the IOC and the SAC.   However, composition of the IOC and the SAC is different from the previous AOECs.  For the IOC, there are six local representatives, three ILAE and three IBE.  One each of the local ILAE and IBE representatives are Co-Chairs of the IOC.  The CAOA Chair and a local representative take on the responsibility as Co-Chairs of the SAC.  SAC members are chosen based on the Main Topics.   The ASEPA Chair is included in the SAC, to organize the ASEPA Didactic Lectures and related activities.  CAOA members who are not SAC members are invited to organize Post-Main and Parallel Sessions.  The 1st IOC meeting was held on 24th of March 2007 in Xiamen, while the SAC will meet on 11th July 2007, during 27th IEC. 

The table below lists the members of IOC and SAC:

	IOC	SAC
Co-Chair	Shichuo Li (China, CAOA Member)	Shih-Hui Lim (CAOA Chair)
	Susanne Lund (IBE President)	Wu Liwen (China)
	Peter Wolf (ILAE President)
Members	Anchor Hung (IBE Vice-President)	Satish Jain (India, CAOA Member)
	Shunglon Lai (IBE Vice-President)	Patrick Kwan (Hong Kong, CAOA Member)
	Weiping Liao (China)	Weiping Liao (China, ASEPA Member)
	Shih Hui Lim (ILAE-CAOA Chair)	Guoming Luan (China)
	Wu Liwen (China)	Jiong Qin (China)
	Chong Tin Tan (ILAE Vice-President)	Ingrid Scheffer (Australia)
	Guoying Xu (China)	Tatsuya Tanaka (Japan)
	Wang Yang (China)	Chong Tin Tan (ASEPA Chair)
	Yi Yao (China)

The format for the Scientific Programme has been altered slightly from the previous AOECs.  Now there will be four Main and four Post-Main Sessions.  During the Post-Main Sessions, there will be simultaneous Parallel Sessions and Platform Sessions. 

The following topics have been selected for the Main and Post-Main Sessions based on the suggestions and feedback from ILAE Chapters and IBE Chapters-Friends in this region: ‘Diagnostic Issues in Paediatric Epileptology,’ ‘Epilepsy Surgery in Adults,’ ‘Genetics and Epilepsy,’ and ‘Epilepsy & Co-morbidities.’ There will be a Chairman’s Symposium entitled ‘Addressing Stigma’ on the 1st day and a Highlights Session on the last day of the Congress.  In addition to the usual ASEPA didactic lectures, the 7th AOEC will introduce the “Masakazu Seino Memorial Lecture” which will become a permanent feature for future AOECs (vide infra).

A two-day program for people with epilepsy will be organized by representatives from IBE and AOEA (Asian Oceanian Epilepsy Association).  CAOA will assist the IOC & the SAC to award Bursaries for those who submit an abstract as well as those who do not submit an abstract for the AOEC.

5.  Asian & Oceanian Regional Steering Committee of the Global Campaign Against Epilepsy (GCAE)
The steering committee met for the first time during 6th AOEC in Kuala Lumpur.  The purpose of this Committee is to implement plans and monitor activities initiated by the GCAE, as well as to coordinate regional efforts of the ILAE CAOA-ASEPA and the IBE‘s Regional Executive Committees (REC) of the South & East Asia and Western Pacific regions.  Dr G Avanzini and Mr P Lee are the Co-Chairs, and Dr SH Lim and CT Tan represent CAOA-ASEPA in this Committee.  This Committee will introduce ‘two-way traffic’ into the GCAE with the regional ILAE & IBE organizations being encouraged to work on GCAE activities and also to suggest new activities.

6.  Research Task Force
A Research Task Force has been formed under CAOA during 6th AOEC to promote joint research.  The Task Force is headed by Dr Patrick Kwan of Hong Kong and the Ex-Officio is Dr SH Lim, CAOA Chair.  The initial step the Task Force has taken is to identify research priorities for the region.  Members of the Task Force are divided into different subgroups to focus on specific areas within epileptology.  The attached is a list of names placed under the various subgroups based on expertise and/or indicated area of interests of all members. 

Sub-group	Sub-Group Coordinator	Members
Epidemiology	W D'Souza (Australia)	JP Agrawal (Nepal), L Cabral-Lim (Philippines), S Jain, P Kwan (Hong Kong), WP Liao (China), M Mannan (Bangladesh), Z Mogal (Pakistan), A Tovuudorji (Mongolia), A Visudtibhan (Thailand)
Pharmacology	S Jain (India)	JP Agrawal, P Bergin (New Zealand), L Cabral-Lim, P Kwan, BI Lee, WP Liao, M Mannan, DJ Yen
Psychosocial / QOL / Public Health	KS Lim (Malaysia)	L Cabral-Lim, W D'Souza, M Mannan, Z Mogal
EEG	SY Kwan (Taiwan)	S Gunadharma (Indonesia), M Mannan
Surgery	T Tanaka (Japan)	BI Lee
Basic science / genetics	BI Lee (Korea)	S Jain, P Kwan, WP Liao, N Tan (Singapore), T Tanaka

Each subgroup will be responsible for drafting the research priorities within its particular area.  The sub-coordinator will be responsible for coordinating the production of the draft. Each subgroup will be invited to briefly present their preliminary draft at the IEC in Singapore in July 2007.  A unified document on research priorities covering the various areas will then be prepared by the Task Force – to be endorsed by the CAOA in due course and be published at appropriate channels e.g. journals, official websites.

7.  The Late Dr Masakazu Seino
It was with deep sadness that we received the news that Dr Masakazu Seino, a distinguished epileptologist, Past Chairman of CAOA (1996-2001), Chairman of ASEPA (2003-2007), Founding Chairman of the AOEO, and Past Vice President of ILAE, passed away on 7th April 2007.  On the day of his death, he was still communicating with one of the CAOA members on the future and financial support of ASEPA. 

Dr Seino’s family, together with his friends, colleagues and the Japan Epilepsy Society, held a memorial service at Hotel New Ohtani, Tokyo Japan on 8th April, 2007.  Dr. Solomon Moshe, Secretary General of the ILAE, Dr. Shih-Hui Lim, Chairman, CAOA and Dr. Chon-Tin Tan, Vice President of the ILAE attended the service.

To perpetuate the memory of Dr Seino and to recognize his immense contributions to the field of Epileptology in the World, CAOA-ASEPA has decided to establish a biennial lectureship in his nameo.  The inaugural “Masakazu Seino Memorial Lecture” will be held during the 7th AOEC.

Accomplishments (2006/2007)

CAOA-ASEPA had a busy but fruitful period the last 17 months, maximizing the usage of limited human and financial resources.  With the commitment and sacrifice of previous and current members of CAOA-ASEPA and the strong support of ILAE and other epileptologists in this region, we are moving closer to achieving our 2 main aims, (1) to advance and disseminate throughout the Asian & Oceanian region knowledge concerning the epilepsies, and (2) to improve education and training in the field of the epilepsies in Asia.

1.  Successful Organization of 6th AOEC
The 6th AOEC was held in Kuala Lumpur, November 2006. It was generally regarded as a very successful congress.  More than 1,600 delegates and another 100 people with epilepsy/caregivers attended the Congress.  It was the largest attendance of all the AOECs. The delegates were from all parts of Asia. The scientific program was well received. The conference venue was excellent. There was a surplus financially.

2.  Conduct of Education and Training Activities by ASEPA
The ASEPA was formed in 2003, as the educational arm or a sub-commission of CAOA.  A majority of the Executive Committee members were also members of CAOA.  For the next Executive Committee of ASPEA 2007-2011, it has been decided that members shall preferably be different from that of CAOA, so that more talents could be mobilized to support the educational effort of CAOA.  It has also been decided that the new seven-member Committee shall include representatives from big countries such as Australia, China, and India.    

2.1. Teaching Courses and Workshops
The following workshops and teaching courses were conducted under the auspices of ASEPA between January 2006 and May 2007:

The following workshops and teaching courses are being planned, to be held in the second half of 2007:  Neurobiology – Singapore (July); Surgery – Xian, China (September); Pediatrics – Kathmandu, Nepal (September); Pediatrics – Mumbai, India (October); and Neuoimaging – Philippines (November).

2.2.  Fellowship
Four fellowships were awarded in 2006/2007 by ASEPA.  In addition, ASEPA assisted in the award of two six-month fellowships from the Epilepsy Research Foundation of Japan and one 12-month fellowship from the Epilepsy Society of Australia.  The seven candidates were from China (2), Bangladesh (1), India (1), Vietnam (1), Sri Lanka (1), and Indonesia (1). They will undergo training in Shizuoka, Japan (3), Melbourne, Australia (1), Trivandrum, India (1), Singapore (1), and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1).

2.3.  ASEPA-ASNA EEG Certification Examination
The ASEPA in cooperation with ASEAN Neurological Association (ASNA) launched a certification examination on EEG in 2005. The purpose of the EEG Certification is to establish and improve standards of training and the professional practice of Electroencephalography (EEG) in Asia. 

The Certification Examination is being conducted by a Board with six members, three nominated by the Asian Epilepsy Academy (ASEPA) and three by the ASEAN Neurological Association (ASNA).   The Board conducts examination at least once a year.  Board members prepare Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) for the Part I Examination as well as conduct the Part II Oral Examination.  As and when necessary, the Board will invite any qualified Electroencephalographer as Associate Examiners for the Part II Examination. 

As of March 2007, ASEPA & ASNA has had conducted three Part 1 Examinations: Jakarta, Indonesia (July 2005), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (16th November 2006) and Cha Am, Thailand (7th March 2007).  A total of 33 candidates sat for the Part 1 Examination and 20 passed (60% passing rate).  Part 2 Examination was first conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 16th November 2006.  Four candidates took the Examination, three (75%) passed and became certified Electroencephalographers.  Examiners were A Bleasel (Australia), A Ikeda (Japan), SH Lim and A Pan (Singapore).

2.4.  Publications
A proceeding of the 6th AOEC will soon be published as a supplement of Neurology Asia.  A proceeding of the status of epilepsy surgery in various Asian countries from presentations during the workshop in Shizuoka will also be published as a supplement of Neurology Asia.

Recommendations for Future Work

As of May 2007, there are 16 Chapters in the Asian and Oceanian region.  New Zealand will be accepted as a Chapter in the coming General Assembly of ILAE during the 27th IEC.  However many countries in Asia are without a national epilepsy organization and/or ILAE Chapter. This reflects slow development of epilepsy care in these countries which have diverse political and economical backgrounds.  Even in those countries with ILAE Chapters, varying degrees of knowledge, research and/or treatment gaps still exist. 

The Commission will assist Sri Lanka, Vietnam and other countries in this region to form Chapters.  CAOA-ASEPA will continue to do its part to minimize knowledge gaps by increasing its educational effort.  It is hoped that the Research Task Force could help to narrow the research gap, thereby indirectly improve patient care.  We will increase cooperation and collaboration with IBE-RECs, regional offices of World Health Organization, and regional neurological organizations to reduce treatment gaps in this region.

Shih-Hui LIM
Chair