DECEMBER 2011 – KUCHING, MALAYSIA – The Malaysian Society for Surgery of the Hand (MSSH) will be organising the 10th Congress of the Asian Pacific Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand (APFSSH) Conference 2014 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) in Sarawak, Malaysia in October 2014 for 3 ½ days with an expected turnout of over 1000 participants from Asia Pacific region and around the world. 

Held every two years, the conference speakers are prominent hand surgeons, respectable professors and experienced hand therapists from international and regional countries. 1000 delegates come together to share their expertise, experiences, and exchange views on the latest issues in this specialized medical field.

Proudly playing host to the 2014 conference is the city of Kuching. The historic state capital of Sarawak promises to delight and pamper participants with its many local gastronomic delicacies and natural treasures. Amongst the highlights of the trip include a leisurely stroll along the Waterfront Park at sunset, a tour of the city’s historic buildings dating back to the days of the ‘White Rajahs’, and a Chinese temple from the mid-1800s.

In conjunction with this event, Malaysian Society for Surgery of the Hand (MSSH) will contribute to the local society through purchasing handmade conference bags from the Annah Rais long house instead of importing the common nylon bag. With the assistance and support of Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) and Borneo Adventure (BA), this initiative will also provide an income to the local community while encouraging them to maintain this soon to be forgotten unique craft. The association believes that conference delegates will definitely love the bags as it is a wonderful souvenir from Sarawak, Malaysia Borneo.

“We hope that through this initiative, we will increase public awareness of the unique culture in the Long House that represents the colours of Sarawak,” said the President of MSSH, Associate Professor Dr Sharifah Roohi. “We want to protect the interest of the Long House community as they are the guardians of the tropical rainforest that maintains the ecosystem of various endangered wildlife such as the Orang Utan and the Hornbill,” she adds.

Mrs. Jill Henry, CEO of SCB comments, “This is definitely a great way to give back to the local community as well as develop a very saleable CSR programme for Sarawak that many local communities can benefit from in future. ”

All in all, the conference will be a retreat to remember, with participants taking home the latest hand surgery and hand therapy management techniques to be applied in their respective clinical practice – not to mention a memorable holiday break.

For more information on the 10th Congress of the APFSSH Conference 2014, please visit http://www.apfssh2014.org