Invitation
Dear Colleagues,
I would like to start with a big thank you to those who have participated
in the past Echo Hong Kong Conferences. It's sometimes easy to lose sight
of how far we've overcome and the achievements we've made but your continuous
support is a huge vote of confidence for us to keep hosting this biennial
event since 1997.
Cardiovascular disease is the number two killer disease in Hong Kong and takes
away more than 5,000 lives a year. According to World Health Organisation,
an estimated 17.5 million people die of cardiovascular diseases each year
though many can be treated or prevented. This suggested that we have been
far better at treating the sick than stopping people getting sick in the first
place. Public health no longer plays second fiddle and the importance of preventing
illness has become central to healthcare policy.
Prevention is better than cure. Echocardiography offers a non-invasive, safe
and inexpensive means to provide clinicians with real time, quality, anatomical
and functional diagnoses of cardiovascular disorders almost anytime and anywhere.
Since its first debut more than a decade ago, the mission of Echo Hong Kong
Conference is to help industry players achieve a longer and better life through
international partnership and knowledge sharing with the world class speakers
on the state-of-the-art science and techniques in diagnostic and prevention
of heart diseases. Whatever progress we made in the past, we know only too
well that more needs to be done.
Lifelong learning and commitment are the keys to ensure the delivery of a
quality and caring healthcare services. Actions speak volumes and we sincerely
hope that you would share the same vision with us. We have chosen 'Live &
Cardiovascular Imaging' as the theme of this year's conference and so proud
to have the generous support from Professor Bijoy Khandheria, Professor Thomas
Marwick, Professor Gerald Maurer, Professor Smadar Kort, Dr Jonathan Chan,
Dr Ping Chai and Mrs Bonita Anderson.
For those who have never been to Hong Kong, you will be fascinated by it's
living culture of unrivalled shopping, marvelous dining and hospitality. Don't
forget to check out the best views of the city's skyline and harbor from the
Peak. I am confident that Echo Hong Kong will undoubtedly proven to be a rewarding
and enjoyable experience.
Looking forward to greeting you in 7th Echo Hong Kong Conference in November 2009!
Dr Yuk-Kong Lau
Program Director, Echo Hong Kong
Consultant, Cardiovascular Disease & Internal Medicine &
Head of Cardiology Department, Ruttonjee & Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals
