The magical and vibrant city of Dubai was host to this year’s 19th Asia Pacific League Associations for Rheumatology Congress (APLAR) 2017 in collaboration with the Emirates Society for Rheumatology (ESR) held last 16-20 October 2017 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Dubai World Trade Center. Located on the Eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, in the southwest corner of the Arabian gulf, Dubai was well known for its year-long sunshine, fascinating heritage, beautiful beaches and deserts, luxurious hotels and shopping malls and hospitable Emirati people.  Both APLAR President Professor Kazuhiko Yamamoto and APLAR 2017 Congress Chairman Dr. Waleed Al Shehhi, graced this year’s attendees with warm welcome addresses. 

A wide-range and comprehensive scientific programme, interactive symposia on contemporary trends and symposia by Special Interest Groups of APLAR had been prepared by distinguished international, regional and national experts. The event aimed at transforming the practice of rheumatologists through continuous improvement in performing daily challenges and achieving excellence in the field. Up-to the-minute insight and updates in the latest field offered unique opportunities in helping rheumatologists shape the  future in Rheumatology. The scientific committee for this year was spearheaded by Chairman Prof. Zhanguo Li (China) and  Vice Chairman Prof. Yeong-Wook Song (Korea) with members Prof. CS Lau (Hongkong, China), Prof. Lai-Shan Tham (Hongkong, China), our former UST Rheumatology graduate- Dr. Laniyati Hamijoyo  (Indonesia), Prof. Sakae Tanaka (Japan), Prof. Tsutomu Takeuchi (Japan), Prof. Katsunori Ikari (Japan), Prof. Yan Zhao (China), Prof. James Wei (Taiwan), A/Prof. Keith Lim (Australia), Prof. Debasish Danda  (India), and Dr. Michael Tee (Philippines). Our very own University of Santo Tomas (UST) Rheumatology Professsor Sandra V. Navarra and consultants Dr. Evan Glen S. Vista and Dr. Christine B. Bernal attended the distinguished event. 

Professor Navarra was one of the international speakers with topic Lupus and Musculoskeletal System. She also convened the Asia Pacific Interest Group for Lupus during the meeting. Action plan was to pursue patient and physician education with  modern innovations. Our pediatric rheumatologist, Dr. Bernal, was also a resource speaker on the topic From Pediatric to Adult: Making Transition Easier. (Report by Vivian D. Santos)  

(Photo shows our UST Rheumatologists together with some APLAR members: Dr. Laniyato Hajimoyo (1st row, left-most), Dr. Sandra Navarra (1st row, middle), Dr. Evan Glen Vista(1st row, right-most) and Dr. Christine Bernal (2nd row, third from left-most).