MDS Ambassador Program - Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

The annual congress of the Malaysian Society of Neurosciences (MSN) was held in Kota Kinabalu (Sabah, Malaysia) from 21-23 May 2010. The major theme for this year’s congress was Movement Disorders. A panel of international and local Movement Disorders experts were invited to speak on a wide range of topics. The congress was well-attended, with about 300 participants, consisting mostly of neurologists and neurology trainees.

We were extremely fortunate to have Prof. Mohit Bhatt from Mumbai, India and Prof. Kailash Bhatia from London, UK as the main speakers. Prof. Mohit Bhatt’s visit was sponsored by The Movement Disorders Society, under the Ambassador Program. He gave three superb lectures on Wilson's disease, Oromandibular dyskinesia, and Movement Disorders Emergencies, and together with Prof. Bhatia provided stimulating discussion of cases presented by local neurologists during the “Video Rounds” session. The depth of the invited speakers’ experience and knowledge was very evident to all present, and we are very appreciative of the useful knowledge gained during the three-day conference.

The congress organizers are also very grateful to The Movement Disorder Society, and to Prof. Bhim Singhal, Dr. Louis Tan and Ms. Catherine Breckenridge, for the generous support provided.

LIM Shen-Yang
June 2010

Photo (Left to right): Faculty for “Movement Disorders Day”: Drs. Lim, Shen-Yang (organiser and speaker), Norlinah Ibrahim (organiser and speaker), Mohit Bhatt (speaker and MDS Ambassador), Kailash Bhatia (speaker), Chris Chong (organiser and speaker), Tan, Kay Sin (MSN President), and Samuel Easaw (session chairperson).

MDS Ambassador Program - Cebu City, Philippines

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MDS Ambassador Program - Mali

On November 15-18, 2009, the MDS Ambassador Program sponsored Michel Gonce, Belgium and James Bower, United States, to attend the First Bamako Neurosciences Congress in Bamako Mali. Bamako is the capital city of Mali, a country in West Africa. Currently in Mali, with a population of 13 million people, there are six neurologists, all located in Bamako. These neurologists received their training outside Mali, as Mali does not currently have a Neurosciences Program of its own. The Congress was organized with the leadership of Prof. Moussa Traoré, President of the University of Bamako.

All Congress activities were held at the International Conference Center in Bamako. The Opening Ceremony was presided over by the Prime Minister of Mali: Representative President of the Republic, Head of the State. Other figures present included the Malian Minister of Health and Malian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The Congress was divided into Plenary Sessions and Parallel Sessions taking place over three days. During the Abnormal Movements Session, Dr. Gonce lectured on, "Clinical Aspects and Physiopathology of Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome" and Dr. Bower lectured on, "Overview of Gait Disorders". Dr. Gonce also presented a series of video cases. At the end of Dr. Gonce's presentation, he held a quiz in which three prizes were awarded. Additionally, during the Congress, Dr. Gonce lectured on "Treatment of Parkinson's Disease" and Dr. Bower lectured on "Neuroepidemiology in Africa". Both doctors' lectures were exceptionally well-received and they have been invited to return for future Congresses.

Over 250 delegates were in attendance from the following countries: Mali, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, Djibouti, Morocco, France and Cuba. Prof. Traoré noted, "The Congress is a tremendous opportunity for Senior Neurologists in Africa to strengthen their expertise in a field as specialized, evolving and stimulating as the field of Neurosciences".