The University of Malta and the Foundation for Social Welfare 福利在线免费 (FSWS) have formally agreed to jointly organise and host the 2021 edition of the well-revered International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) Conference, at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta between 28 September and 1 October.
ISAM is an international fellowship of physicians founded in 1998, committed to the advancement of knowledge about addiction as a treatable condition, and to enhancing the credibility of physicians as professionals playing a major role in the management of addiction. Its President, Prof. Alex Baldacchino, is a Maltese psychiatrist specialised in addiction medicine based at the University of St Andrews in Scotland and clinical lead of the Addictions Psychiatry Service at Fife NHS.
This globally-renowned Conference welcomes participants from over 30 countries across the globe and summons the world鈥檚 foremost experts to share their expertise on approaches to addiction whilst highlighting recent research findings. The University will be responsible for the logistics of the Conference, through its Conferences and Events Unit.
If a face-to-face conference will not be possible due to COVID-19 restrictions, it will still be held, either as a hybrid face-to-face and virtual event. UM and the FSWS shall take all the measures in line with the health and safety to protect the participants.
FSWS, on the other hand, which provides social welfare services in relation to alcohol and substance abuse and in relation to other social welfare problems, will finance the event and lead the Local Organisation Committee (LOC).
A Scientific Committee comprising of the University of Malta鈥檚 top physicians has in fact been set up to evaluate the papers and presentations which will be delivered throughout the conference. The University of Malta Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella has nominated Prof. Richard Muscat to be the Chairperson of the Scientific Committee.
Prof. Muscat, a physician, is the Director of the University鈥檚 Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, as well as the Head of the Department of Physiology & Biochemistry within the Faculty of Medicine & Surgery.
Internationally acclaimed plenary speakers for the conference have also started being confirmed. These include:
- Dame Dr Clare Gerada, a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners in the UK
- Prof. Min Zhao, Vice President of the Chinese Assocation of Drug Abuse Pevention and Treament, and a Professor at Shanghai鈥檚 Jiao Tong University
- Dr Devora Kestel, responsible for leading the World Health Organisation鈥檚 work in the areas of mental health and substance abuse
- Clinical Epidemiologist Prof. Amy Justice.
鈥淚 am confident that my colleagues at the University and the Foundation will do a great job in hosting this momentous Conference as they are jointly motivated by the betterment of the world鈥檚 knowledge on addiction, something which affects more individuals that we鈥檇 like to admit鈥, said UM Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella.
Meanwhile, Mr Alfred Grixti, CEO of the Foundation for Social Welfare 福利在线免费, said that; 鈥淥ur very fruitful association with ISAM began two years ago and Prof. Baldacchino has been instrumental in helping us improve our services as the national substance misuse and addiction treatment agency. We are very honoured that the University has accepted to partner with us on this very important conference, as a result of which we will be able to not only put Malta more firmly on the map of leading countries where treating addictions is concerned but also by helping us take our services to the next level.鈥 He later thanked the University of Malta Rector for his continued supported since the very inception of this initiative.
More details on this year鈥檚 conference will be posted on the .
