How do developing countries contribute to an organization like the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR)? With limited resources, few opportunities for research and even fewer physicians taking up the field, can a country like the Philippines contribute to the advancement of Rheumatology?

Let’s all listen as the APLAR President Elect gives this year’s Dr. Lourdes Manahan Memorial Lecture!

Dr. Syed Atiqul Haq, Professor, Department of Rheumatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) established the first Rheumatology Clinic of the country in October 1991. He was one of the co-founders of Bangladesh Rheumatology Society in 1997 and now is its Senior Vice President. In June 2000, as Chief Investigator, he founded the COPCORD Study Group in Bangladesh. He became Professor of Medicine (Rheumatology) in July 2001 and Professor of Rheumatology in July 2006. He was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh in 2003 and International Fellowship of the American College of Rheumatology in 2005. Dr. Haq’s areas of academic interest include Epidemiology of rheumatic disorders, knee OA and SLE. He has 160 publications in local and international journals out of which 85 are originals. He was awarded a Gold Medal by the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences for contribution to the advancement of Science in the country. He has served Asia-Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) in the capacities of APLAR-COPCORD (Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Disorders) coordinator, Vice President and Treasurer.