The Association of Pediatric Societies of the South-East Asian Region (APSSEAR) was established with its mission of improving the health status of children living in the region and in surrounding areas.
It tries to fulfill its mission by establishing linkages amongst pediatricians in the region, providing them with educational programs to enable them to improve the services they provide and, at the same time advocating programs and health care services to provide overall benefit to children.
APSSEAR was formed on April 30,1974, at a meeting held in Manila, Philippines in conjunction with the First Asian Congress of Pediatrics. Membership of the organization would be confined only to National Pediatric Associations and if considered appropriate subspecialty societies of the region.
From an original fifteen member countries in 1974, it has now grown to 20 members.
On October 5th, 1974, APSSEAR sought for and was accepted as an Affiliate member of the International Pediatric Association (IPA).
The first President of APSSEAR was Dr Lino Ed. Lim (Philippines-1974-76) while Professor Dr Perla Santos Ocampo (Philippines-1974-2000) was its first Secretary-General.
The essential objectives of APSSEAR, as set out in its Constitution, are: “promotion of research in all aspects of Pediatrics, dissemination of knowledge in child health, organization of an Asian Congress of Pediatrics triennially, and enhancement of national Pediatric meetings.”
The Association established a four-point program of action to achieve its objectives:
1. Research in all aspects of Pediatrics
2. Dissemination of Pediatric Knowledge
3. Holding of an Asian Congress of Pediatrics every three years
4. Promotion of National Pediatric Meetings
There is however, one underlying goal for APSSEAR throughout the years: to identify and to responsively evolve in its roles to meet the needs and demands of members and the children within the region.
APSSEAR has achieved great success for the past 28 years in fulfilling its objectives and goals. This is the fruit of joint efforts of the Association’s pioneer workers, past presidents, office-bearers and, most importantly, of its members throughout the years.
The Association has also attained such regional and global recognition that the IPA has frequently held pre-congress workshops, in conjunction with the Asian Pediatric Congresses aimed at disseminating its output to a huge number of pediatricians.
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