The 48th Sino Luso International Medical Forum and the 5th Sino Asia Pacific Medical Forum took place in Manila and Macao from March 5 to 10 in tandem with the inaugural launch of the Sino Phil Asia International Peace Award. This extensive scientific and medical peace conference brought together global doctors for scientific exchanges of the highest level to celebrate medical peace—in time for the launch of Macao’s first Medical School later this year at the Macau University of Science and Technology.

Professor Manson Fok, President of the Sino Luso International Medical Forum and Sino Asia Pacific Medical Forum, said, “In just eight short years, we have managed to establish our local Macao forum into one Asia’s most influential medical education series. I personally thank every single doctor in Macao, the Greater Bay Area, China, the Philippines and Asia for coming together with doctors from around the world to train our frontline healthcare workers.”

Dr. Billy Chan, Vice President of the Sino Luso International Medical Forum and Sino Asia Pacific Medical Forum, said, “This year we are honored with top doctors to herald a major peace award. This inaugural Sino Phil Asia International Peace Award is excited to be complimented and supported with these passionate medical education symposiums and workshops.” Dr. Chan is the Chairman and Founder of the Sino Phil Asia International Peace Foundations Award.

For the night of March 5 in Manila, the line-up of speakers included Dr. Hurley Myers, emeritus professor of physiology and internal medicine at Southern Illinois University discussed “Innovation Medical Education”. Dr. Jiafu Ji of Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute presented on, “The Eastern Approach to Perioperative Treatment of Gastric Cancer.”Dr. Ahmad Sheibani Nia of Iran, a dentist who has dedicated his life to performing free dentistry for the people of Iran presented his topic titled, “System and method for maxillary protraction in class III malocclusion patients”. Austrian cryosurgeon Professor Nikolai Korpan talked about, “Pancreas Cancer Cryosurgery.”

Dr. Benito Ancheta, Vice President of the Philippine Medical Association, delivered the opening message. Former Philippines Secretary of Health Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial, Dr. Roy Ferrer, CEO of PhilHealth discussed current matters of universal healthcare in the Philippines, from insurance to public policy. Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial said, “This is a historic time with the passage of the Universal Health Law just signed by President Duterte. We are honored to work with doctors from around the world too to increase improved services to our people.” Dr. Roy also touted the coming opportunities with the new Universal Health Law, signed into law by President Duterte in February 2019, noting increased needs for community based medicine and communication with rural and poor communities.

The following morning of March 6 began with a wreath laying ceremony and 21-gun salute by Philippine Marine Corps at the Rizal Monument with the assembled laureates of the inaugural launch of the Sino Phil Asia International Peace Awards—these included Dr. Harley Seyedin, President of the American Chamber of Commerce for South China, Dr. Ji Jiafu, Director of the Peking University Cancer Institute, Professor Hurley Meyers of the University of Southern Illinois Medical School, Dr. Koen Gustaaf A. De Ridder, Director of the Confucius Institute in Brussels, Professor Ahmad Sheibani Nia, a dental health expert from Iran, Dr. Anders Gustav Nelsson, acclaimed Hong Kong based music legend, and entrepreneur and philanthropist Mark Clayton from the United Kingdom and based in Zhuhai, China.

The morning homage to the memory of the Philippine martyr Jose Rizal was made extra special by the welcoming presence of the Order of the Knights of Rizal. This historic fraternal organization accompanied the laureates on an official visit to the Presidential Malacanang Palace for a courtesy calling and tour. They were met by President Duterte’s undersecretary and later with an informal greeting at the nearby morning brunch by Fema Duterte, sister of Rodrigo Duterte. The Order of Knights of Rizal also accompanied the doctors and peace laureates that evening for the official inaugural launch of the Sino Phil Asia International Peace Awards.

Special laureates from the Philippines that night included Philippines Secretary of Health Dr. Franciso T. Duque III, Mrs. Soccoro Ramos, literacy champion and founder of the National Bookstore, Senator Sherwin Ting Gatchalian, and entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. Sergio Ortiz-Luis. Commented Dr. Harley Seyedin, “This is an honor to be in the Philippines and bring our message of peace. Right now the main peace prizes come from Western Europe. It is our time to stand and bring them forward from the perspectives in Asia.” Dr. Seyedin, who won the 2017 Nobel Business Peace Prize, and was awarded a Thomas Jefferson Medal by President Obama, commented, “We need to build businesses to be sustainable to serve humanity…and hopefully what we do here tonight and going forward will do just that.”

The Manila events were followed by extensive workshops and scientific symposiums held at the Faculty of Medicine at the Macau University of Science and Technology, and the Dr. Stanley Ho Medical Development Foundation. For the night of March 9 in honor of the 19 Year anniversary of MUST, U.S. State Senator Emmanuel Jones from Georgia delivered a special speech titled “possibility and promises.” Senator Jones expressed hope for further cultural and educational exchanges between Georgia and Macao, and the Greater Bay Area, as well as wishes for peace between China and the United States.

Prof. Fok, who is also the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at MUST, said, “Welcoming our international doctors and peace laureates to Macao with Senator Jones is timely as we prepare to open our first medical school later this year. Preparing future doctors for Macao and the Greater Bay Area is now a national policy and we thank our guests for supporting us and the people of this historic city and dynamic region of China. Striking regional and global alliances with medical education for the future of the Macao people and the Greater Bay Area is a mandate we are honored and humbled to be part of. These past days of have been truly historic and are helping lay the foundation for a legacy of peace with medical education and mutual understanding.”