MMDA to host regional meet on infectious diseases

MANILA, Philippines -  The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be hosting in February, a three-day regional conference on the current trends in the prevention of infectious diseases.

Last July, the MMDA hosted the 11th Asian Crisis Management Conference (ACMC) that discussed matters on disaster risk management and prevention.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the 9th Annual Conference of the Asian Network of Major Cities (ANMC) 21 on Countermeasures to Combat Infectious Diseases in Asia will be held from February 4-6 at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria Hotel in Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City.

With the theme “Meeting City-Level Challenges to Achieve Millennium Development Goals on Infectious Diseases”, Tolentino said the three-day annual conference will gather health professionals, various medical associations, medical researchers, and city officials of the 13-member-cities of ANMC 21.

“Once again, we at the MMDA are honored to lead this international conference. We are hoping to learn and contribute in ANMC 21’s continuous efforts to stop the spread of diseases in the Asian region,” Tolentino said.

Now on its 9th year, the 2014 Countermeasures to Combat Infectious Diseases in Asia forum will focus on relevant programs to control five infectious diseases in the region: multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), HIV/AIDS, dengue, leptospirosis, and pandemic influenza.

Tolentino said each member-city of ANMC 21 would be presenting their respective recent medical updates and current policies to combat the further outbreak of infectious diseases and discuss possible joint research and surveys.

“To foster learning and exchange of ideas, we will also invite selected guests with knowledge and expertise on the topics to provide additional insights into the trends, policies, challenges, and innovative actions against infectious diseases,” Tolentino said.

ANMC21, which organizes the annual ACMC and the Countermeasures to Combat Infectious Diseases in Asia, is an organization of Asia's largest capital cities working together on issues such as urban planning, sustainability, and crisis management. It was advocated by then Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara in August 2000.

ANMC21 member-cities include Bangkok, Delhi, Hanoi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Metro Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Tomsk (Russia), Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), and Yangon.