ADRI's Track Record on the International Cooperative Front
The mission of the Asbestos Disease Research Institute (ADRI) is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of asbestos-related diseases (ARD) and contribute to more effective measures to prevent exposure to asbestos. Since 2019, ADRI has delivered two successful ARD Training Workshops in the Philippines and Fiji, and one mini-Workshop in Indonesia on mesothelioma pathology. In addition, we have been engaged by the WHO and other United Nations organizations in a range of expert consultancies in the Asia-Pacific.
Although the current 2020/2021 COVID-19 pandemic is holding up our plans. We are determined to resume this mandate once the situation permits.
Philippines Training Workshop - July 2019
An ADRI team led by Prof Ken Takahashi conducted an asbestos training workshop in Manila from the 10-12 July 2019. The workshop was sponsored by a Regional Collaboration Programme grant, The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and delivered by the ADRI in association with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The workshop provided the unique opportunity for members of the ADRI team to convene with international representatives from varying training backgrounds to share expertise aimed to advance the Philippines capacity to detect, diagnose and treat cases of ARD, with particular emphasis on mesothelioma. Eight ADRI team representatives; Prof Ken Takahashi, Dr Yuen Yee Cheng, Dr Kenneth Lee, Dr Anthony Linton, Dr Matthew Soeberg, Dr Ben Johnson, Mrs Jocelyn McLean and Ms Ari Yuen presented a series of informative presentations relating to the epidemiology, molecular biology, research practice, pathological diagnosis, clinical treatment, patient care and industrial hygiene perspective of mesothelioma.
The main purpose of these presentations was to elicit an awareness of mesothelioma within the Philippines community to facilitate an improved, multi-disciplined and collaborative response to combat the rising incidence in mesothelioma cases. The workshop was successful in terms of advertising ADRI’s firm stance on the global elimination of asbestos use and asbestos-related disease; as well as further expanding ADRI’s valuable networks with international collaborators.
Pathology Training Indonesia - Nov 2019
In November 2019, ADRI's Regional Collaboration Programme grant sponsored mini-Workshop in Jakarta, Indonesia, on the pathological diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. The workshop follows recent revelations on the shocking and dangerous extent of asbestos use in Indonesia. ADRI has joined international efforts to raise public awareness about the dangers of asbestos and has provided expertise in developing skills in Indonesia to diagnose asbestos-related diseases. Dr Anna Suraya, senior occupational physician, was instrumental in the coordination and preparation of this workshop. Dr Ruth Sembiring, Chief of the Pathology Department, Persahabatan Hospital, opened the workshop. A/Professor Kenneth Lee, Clinical Director, Anatomical Pathology, Concord Hospital, Sydney, lead the two-day workshop which examined and discussed individual pathology cases followed by overviews and feedback sessions.
The workshop was organised by the Indonesia Ban Asbestos Networking group and was held at the Persahabatan Hospital in Jakarta. It was attended by pathologists from four referral hospitals around Jakarta including the Persahabatan Hospital, National Referral Centre for Respiratory Diseases; National Central General Hospital; Darmais Hospital, National Cancer Centre, and the Lung Hospital, Cisarua-Bogor.
ARD Training Workshop in Fiji - Dec 2019
In Dec 2019, a training workshop on the diagnosis of ARDs was held in Suva, Fiji. The workshop was hosted by the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Fiji National University on the Pasifika Campus. The workshop was delivered and sponsored by the ADRI’s Regional Collaboration Programme grant in association with the WHO Country Office of Fiji.
The workshop provided the unique opportunity for members of the ADRI team to convene with representatives from varying backgrounds and disciplines including pathology, radiology, medicine, public health, nursing and the Ministry of Health to share expertise aimed to advance the Fijian capacity to detect, diagnose and treat cases of asbestos-related disease, with particular emphasis on mesothelioma.
Eight ADRI team representatives; Prof Ken Takahashi, Dr Kenneth Lee, Dr Steven Kao, Dr Yuen Yee Cheng, Dr Ben Johnson, Ms Jocelyn McLean, Ms Diana Arachi and Ms Victoria Keena presented a series of sessions relating to the epidemiology, molecular biology, research practice, biobanking, pathological diagnosis, clinical treatment, patient care and victim support.
The purpose of these presentations was to improve the diagnosis and management of ARDs and to promote the implementation of the roadmap for Fiji on the elimination of asbestos and ARDs.
