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Following is a speech by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Dr E K Yeoh, at the College Ceremony of the Combined Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and the Hong Kong College of Anaesthesiologists today (May 5):

Professor Oh,Dr Lee,Professor Li,distinguished guests,ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to officiate at this College Ceremony of the Combined Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and Faculties and the Hong Kong College of Anaesthesiologists, and address such a distinguished audience. I would like to take this opportunity to extend a very warm welcome to our distinguished guests and all participants.

Anaesthesiology has certainly come a long way since W T G Morton administered, ether, the world's first anaesthetic for surgery on 16 October 1846 in Boston. Today, the practice of anaesthesiology is no longer just simply to alleviate pain and suppress consciousness of the patient undergoing surgery. Modern anaesthesiology focuses on patient safety and quality of service, and aims at protecting patients from the effects of stress, trauma and pain associated with surgery and maintaining their homeostasis throughout the peri-operative period. With the rapid advances in medical science and technology, the role of modern anaesthesiologists has expanded dramatically. No longer are they operating theatre bound. Apart from the delivery of total care to surgical patients before, during and after surgery, anaesthesiologists play a pivotal role in pain management and palliative care and in intensive care services.

The way in which anaesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine is delivered to patients has been evolving with advances in technology. I would like to commend the organisers for aptly choosing "Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Medicine Delivery - The Next Generation" as the theme of this Meeting. In the next few days, we shall be discussing in-depth the impact of evidence-based treatment, new drugs and new technology in this field. I note that the use of Chinese medicine in anaesthesia, pain management and palliative care features in the discussions. Anaesthesiology is certainly one of the medical specialties where there is great potential in developing models of interface between the western and Chinese ways of practicing anaesthesia to enhance the quality in the delivery of patient care.

This first Combined Scientific Meeting of the two Colleges provides a golden opportunity for experts from the two sides to share their knowledge and to facilitate further technological advancement in the field of anaesthesiology. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the prize winners and distinguished academics gathered here today for your hard work in the field of anaesthesia, intensive care and pain management. With so many renowned speakers and specialists attending this Meeting, I am sure that we shall all benefit from the synergy of this Meeting and gain further insight on the future development of anesthesia, intensive care and pain medicine delivery for the benefit of our patients.

Lastly, I wish you all a rewarding experience at this Meeting, and for those overseas delegates, an interesting and exciting stay in our dynamic and exhilarating city.

Thank you.

END/Saturday, May 5, 2001

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