JEMDSA June 2007, Vol. 12, No. 1
It is the Free State region’s privilege to host the 42nd SEMDSA (Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa) and 10th DESSA (Diabetes Educators’ Society of South Africa) annual meeting in Bloemfontein from 30 June to 2 July 2007. As in the past, the third annual diabetes update will precede the conference.
The decision to host the meeting in Bloemfontein during winter was not taken lightly. The average daily maximum and minimum temperatures recorded for Bloemfontein in June and July over a 30-year period were 17˚C and –2˚C respectively, while the lowest recorded temperature during the same period was –10˚!1 It therefore came as quite a surprise to the organisers that, 2 months ahead of the event, more than 200 delegates had registered for the meeting.
In spite of the Free State’s reputation for harsh winters, the reaction to the call for abstracts was overwhelming.
It is heartening that in spite of difficulties such as lack of funding, clinical work overload, adverse working conditions and limited career opportunities, so many health care workers and basic scientists are still motivated to do quality research. The increase in the number of contributions from our paediatric colleagues is especially praiseworthy.
As in the past, the pharmaceutical industry has been ready and willing to respond to the organisers’
requests for funding and logistic support, in spite of
the economic and other challenges that face them.
We thank our sponsors for their continuing and unconditional support, which ensures that scientific meetings such as this can still take place. Without the support of the pharmaceutical industry it would not be possible to invite guest speakers of the standing that SEMDSA members have become accustomed to. Few young clinicians, medical scientists and other health care workers can afford to attend scientific meetings overseas. Meetings such as this provide them with an opportunity not only to present their own research but also to interact with internationally recognised medical researchers.
Owing to the relatively large number of abstracts received, and the wide spectrum of topics covered, it has been possible to assemble a programme that should satisfy the needs of most attendees.2 We trust that the traditional warm Free State hospitality and an exciting scientific and social programme will more than compensate for the inconvenience of our cold winter climate. The Organising Committee is looking forward to see you in Bloemfontein!
Willie Mollentze
Chairman, Organising Committee, SEMDSA 2007
1. SA Weather Bureau. http://www.weathersa.co.za/Climat/Climstats/BloemfonteinStats.
jsp (accessed 11 June 2007).
2. SEMDSA http://www.semdsa.org.za/files/congress_programme_2007.pdf (accessed 11 June 2007).
Diabetes and endocrinology in the city of roses
EDitoriAl
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