AHF

Background

The need for a special organization to promote ‘Headache' awareness in the Asia Pacific region was first discussed when Neurologists with a special interest in Headache Management from eight countries in Asia met at the MAP Survey (Migraine Assesment for Prophylaxis ) Meeting in Kuala Lumpur in 2004.

And so was born this new ‘Headache' organization which is now formally known as – The Asian Headache Foundation (AHF)
The main reasons for the creation of the Asian Headache Foundation (AHF)were:
1. The lack of awareness in this region of the benefits of focused ‘Headache Management'
2. Tthe shortage of ‘Headache Specialists' in this region
3. The IHC2005 coming to Asia for the first time at Kyoto - this was thought to be an opportune moment to launch the AHF and continue the focus on ‘Headache' in Asia.
The region that is represented by the AHF is shown on the map.

Objectives

To provide a forum for scientific exchange of headache related data between clinicians, research scientists and headache sufferers in Asia.

To create a source of support for headache sufferers.
To increase public awareness of headache and the management options
To highlight some of the differences between the East and the West that have a bearing on ‘Headache Management' based on variations in geography, culture and environment
To stimulate interest and encourage entry of junior physicians into this field by providing right training.

Methods

With the needs identified and the main objective being the study of headache in a scientific manner, steps were undertaken to formalise the organization.

The organization was registered at Singapore and a constitution was drawn up

Committee members were elected by ballot.- Prof. F. Sakai was chosen President, Prof. CS Chung -Vice president, Dr Charles Siow - Secretary. Dr. S.J. Wang - Treasurer, Dr. K. Ravishankar, Dr. Siwaporn Chankrachang and Dr.Raymond Tak-Fai Cheung - Council Members.
Representatives from each country would be responsible for further recruitment of local members.