Singapore Government Press Release
Media Relations Division, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts,
MITA Building, 140 Hill Street, 2nd Storey, Singapore 179369
Tel: 6837-9666
19 June 2003
INAUGURAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE ON SARS RESEARCH ORGANIZED BY WHO AND MOH HELD IN SINGAPORE
The Scientific Conference on SARS Research was held today at the Raffles City Convention Centre. The conference was co-organized by World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health (MOH), Singapore and supported by Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and the National University of Singapore’s Office of Life Sciences. This conference is held for the first time in Asia and Singapore is honoured to host this prestigious scientific conference.
This conference provided a forum for presentations and discussions by key WHO officials and top researchers in the local and international medical and scientific community. Some 500 local and foreign delegates and experts shared their views on a wide array of topics, such as the priorities in SARS research, molecular biology of the SARS Coronavirus, challenges in vaccine development as well as SARS therapeutics.
Although the current outbreak of SARS appears to be almost over, WHO has stated that countries need to remain vigilant to prevent another outbreak of the highly infectious disease. Efforts to contain any future outbreak would be facilitated greatly by improving our understanding of the characteristics of the SARS coronavirus, develop better diagnostic kits and better treatments for SARS. Development of an effective vaccine against SARS would aid in the long-term control of the disease. Some of the major research bodies have already initiated work in this area, but major breakthroughs may take some time.
The Scientific Conference on SARS Research held today in Singapore has provided the unique opportunity for the exchange of information and formation of collaborative networks amongst various research groups around the world including those from Singapore, Hongkong, Canada, USA and Europe. The hosting of this conference also clearly reflects Singapore’s efforts to build itself into a global centre of excellence for biomedical research.
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