EHPBA - Focusing on Research and Solutions for HPB-Diseases
The EHPBA was founded in 1999 as the European regional association of the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary association (IHPBA). In 2002 the association expanded to countries of the Middle East and Africa. Currently, the association counts more than 400 active members from Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Our region also includes nine "national" chapters that represent memberships from different countries including: Egypt, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Italy, Scandinavia, South Africa, Turkey and United Kingdom.
The primary mission of the Association is to be the prime interdisciplinary organization for HPB-surgical science and scholarship in our region and to provide an international forum for presenting the developing state of the art and science of HPB-surgery. This mission is currently accomplished by conducting a biennial scientific meeting (alternating with the IHPBA World congress), and other annual events such as consensus conferences. The EHPBA may also support educative and scientific activities from their members. The next event is the 9th EHPBA Congress 2011 that will take place on the 12-16th of April, 2011 at Cape Town.
The official journal of EHPBA is HPB. We own this Journal along with the AHPBA (American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary association) and the IHPBA. We are proud, that the journal has recently been indexed in the pubmed system, and considering the quality of the published papers, likewise will soon enter the world of the "impact factors". The EHPBA also regularly publishes newsletters to keep our members up to date about activities held by the association. The EHPBA is a paper free association, and therefore, platforms for communication are emails and our website. This website, somewhat still under construction, will secure timely and optimal diffusion of information among all EHPBA members.
The EHPBA is moving forward in playing a major role in its field in the development of EHPBA worldwide, and must serve as a friendly and efficient platform to share ideas, scientific information, studies and, hopefully trainees. Friendship and a desire to learn from each other in an international and interdisciplinary world should be the sole spirit in our association. Let's give EHPBA a new impulse.
Pierre-Alain Clavien
President - on behalf of the The Council of the EHPBA