| Hernia
has traditionally generated a lot of dabate over the decades and this debate was
intensified with the introduction of laparoscopic / endoscopic hernia repair.
A group of like minded hernia enthusiasts from the Asia Pacific region, led by
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Chowbey from New Delhi and Davide Lamanto from Singapore, met
in Bali, Indonesia between 26 - 29 September, 2004 which was also the first executive
meeting and marked the birthday of the Asia Pecific Hernia Society. An executive
working committee was formed from amongst the founding members to oversee the
activities and functioning of the society. The society was subsequently registered
in Singapore in 2005.
After the foundation of American Hernia society
(AHS) in January, 1997 and European Hernia Society in1979, the glaring lacuna
that existed in world hernia for 25 years due to the absence of representation
form the vast Asia Pacific region was eliminated.
The Asia Pacific region
encompasses an esoteric mix of nationalities, languages, creed and ethnicities.
Additionally, there are great economical and financial disparities between and
within nations in the region. The implications of these facts are that there are
great variations in the delivery of surgical care across the region. APHS was
intended to function as an umbrella organization representing groups disparate
in approach, yet like minded in the pursuit of highest standards of surgical care.
The broad mission of APHS is development and propagation of hernia care and allied
research activities.
It is envisaged that National Hernia chapters in
the region will serve as affiliates to expand and carry out the mission of the
APHS.
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