Dear Friends,

Greetings from SIOP Asia! The year has begun on a challenging note, with a viral epidemic, even as we continue to treat our children with cancer. We stand in solidarity with all those affected by it.

Yesterday, we have taken the decision to postpone the SIOP Asia 2020 conference to 4-6th September 2020 with pre-conference workshops on 3rd September.
Let us firstly, thank you for the overwhelming response to this meeting, over 400 registrations, and still counting, as of last week. Of these over 100 + are from overseas, many from regions affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. Half of the faculty too are from such countries or are transiting through them.

The Government of India, as part of preventive strategy, has issued strict directives regarding conduct of conferences and meetings. They have also instituted travel restrictions and visa cancellations for affected countries; and a universal screening of all overseas travellers to India.

New directives are coming up on a daily basis, bringing in a lot of uncertainty and anxiety, among participants and us organisers too. Proceeding with the meeting in March does not seem prudent or possible. The best course decided upon was to postpone the meeting to early September.

An announcement has been posted on the conference website and through social media. There will be official communication from the LOC to all registrants and faculty regarding further course. Do follow us on Twitter at @SiopAsia2020, #SIOPAsiaSept2020.

We plan to transplant the conference “as is” to September 2020, and look forward to welcoming our faculty and registrants in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, we want to wish all of you safe days ahead of you and we hope this virus will be contained and managed appropriately as soon as possible.

Thank you for your support and participation!

Best  regards,
Rashmi Dalvi

SIOP Continental President Asia