Media Workshops

More than 2,000 liver disease specialists from around the world will participate in the Hong Kong-Shanghai International Liver Congress 2008 from June 12 to 15 to discuss recent trends, studies and breakthroughs regarding treatment of the different types of liver ailments which afflict over 350 million people around the globe. Seventy-five percent of those infected reside in Asia, of whom 100 million are in China alone.

This year, the theme of the Hong Kong-Shanghai International Liver Congress is "Molecular Targeting in Liver Disease – from Bench to Bedside" where the latest developments in hepatology will be discussed by distinguished scholars from all over the world. They will present their latest findings and unique experiences across a wide a wide spectrum of topics and issues regarding liver disease.

June 12: New APASL Hepatitis B Management Guideline

Speakers :

• Prof. Zhao-You Tang, Chairman of Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Zhongshan Hospital
• Prof. George Lau, President, Asian-Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver, The University of Hong Kong
• Prof. Jin-Lin Hou, Director and Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Guangzhou, China.

Thirty-seven leading liver specialists from 10 Asia Pacific countries joined together in March this year to develop a new version of the Asian-Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) hepatitis management guideline. This initiative will have a huge impact on the development of public health policy, education and best clinical practices in many of the region 's countries, affecting the lives of people from all walks of life.

June 13: Hong Kong Shanghai International Liver Congress Opening Ceremony

Speakers :

• Prof. Zhao-You Tang, Chairman of Liver Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Zhongshan
  Hospital 
•  The Hon. Dr. York Y.N. Chow, Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food of Hong Kong
  (Guest of Honour)

It is estimated that up to 80% of fatal liver cancers can be attributed to either Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C, which is second only to smoking in terms of the number of deaths among known cancer causing agents. This rate is only expected to rise with increased cross border travel between Hong Kong and China. The Hong Kong - Shanghai Society of Hepatology will continuously update the medical community with new insights in addressing many unresolved issues and new methods of managing hepatitis.

June 14 : Cancelled

June 15 : Liver donor and liver transplantation

Speakers :

• Dr. Alexander Chiu, Associate Consultant, Queen Mary Hospital

Since the 1990s, breakthroughs in liver transplantation have redefined the way medical practitioners treat late stage cirrhosis. However, identifying suitable organs for transplantation within a patient 's home country is an ongoing and controversial issue in many Asian countries. A new dialysis technology is now available which helps patients to buy more time to identify a new liver donor.

Media Materials

• 12 June
• 13 June
• 14 June
• 15 June

Photographs

Photographic coverage of the conference proceedings will be provided.

Media Registration Now Open

Attending media are required to register at the registration booth located at the Concourse on 5/F. All journalists and freelance writers are required to present their name card for registration. There is no registration fee for accredited media representatives and registrants in this category.

All media will have free access to the Media Centre. Media registrants will also have access to the Opening Ceremony, the exhibition, and most sessions. Journalists may not attend a small number of sessions that have been deemed by participants to be of an extremely personal nature. These sessions will be pointed out to you upon registration.

All accredited journalists must check-in at the Media Desk for Registration upon arrival. Press materials of daily press briefing will be available at the reception area outside the press briefing room. Extra copies will be available at the press centre after the daily briefing

On-Site Media Centre

An international Media Centre for accredited journalists will be located on-site in Room V4, Level 6, HKCEC. The centre will have limited workspaces lap-top stations and Wi-Fi connection. Photocopies and faxes are available at the business centre for a small cost.

Please download the media guide for a more detailed description of the on-site media centre, a directory of useful contacts, program highlights, directions to the venue and more.

Accommodations

Media representatives may book their accommodation via the Secretariat. Please click here.

For media enquiries :

Please email Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide at dorothy.yiu@ogilvy.com