Keep our history in everlasting memory

I am writing this column after returning from Health Telematics' 95, which was held 2-6 July in Naples, Italy. Telematics is receiving more attention as an inevitable tool for modern medicine, and we were able to obtain familiarity with this modern technology at the conference.

This conference was celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Guglielmo Marconi, the pioneer of radio transmission. I was impressed with this idea of remembering the great past works and discussing the most advanced works in this field. Certainly the conference was a great success. The outcome of this conference will be reported by the Secretary-General of the conference, Dr. Marcello Bracale (past Administrative Council member and past Chairman of the National Secretaries Committee of the IFMBE).

Let us look back on our history. Thirty-six years have passed since the foundation of the International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering (IFMBE). The IFMBE was started as the International Federation for Medical Electronics and Biological Engineering by a few initial member societies in 1959. Thereafter the Federation has expanded dramatically and steadily with outstanding achievements attained by our predecessors. Now we have 40 affiliate member societies and more than 20 000 individual members.

I have proposed that we publish a special book of the IFMBE history before it vanishes from our memory. The IFMBE is now working on this book. I think that this book will be not only a wonderful memorial text for elder members, but also act as a stimulatory material for younger researchers. Dr. Masao Saito and Dr. Nandor Richter, former Presidents of the IFMBE, have kindly accepted our request to act as the editors-in-chief of this book. We would hope to have another editor from the American continent.

Our preliminary plan of the book, which our editors have suggested is as follows:

1. Editors:

• Masao Saito, President of the IFMBE (1979-1982)
• Nandor Richter, President of the IFMBE (1985-1988)

2. Outline of contents:

1. foundation of the International Federation (1958-1960)
2. expansion of the International Society (1960-1965): three founder societies, expansion of member societies
3. expanding scope (around 1965): from Medical Electronics and Biological Engineering to Medical and Biological Engineering.
4. previous meetings, drafting constitutions, financing, legal registration
5. important events in 1970s, 1980s and recent years
6. international conferences: history, sites, organisers, topics etc.
7. officers, council members, honorary members, academy of Medical and Biological Engineering
8. journals, official publications
9. international activities: WHO, EU etc.
10. expansion of organisation: collaboration with IOMP, formation of IUPESM, affiliation with ICSU, and geographical expansion of the Federation including Central and Eastern Europe, Asia, South America and Africa
11. establishment of Clinical Engineering and Healthcare Technology Assessment divisions: committee activities, publications, stimulations to member countries, meetings
12. ADC activities
13. regional conferences and other co-sponsored meetings: Nordic-Baltic, Mediterranean, North Sea, Pan-Pacific, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, IEEE/EMBS, Sub-Saharan etc.
14. committee and working group activities
15. further progress

3. Arrangement:

The materials will be arranged/categorised into the following three parts:

1. IFMBE history
2. statistical data
3. brief comments, episodes, views, photos etc.

4. Expected date of publication: at the World Congress in Nice, France, in 1997.

5. Local editorial secretaries:

• Kei-ichiro Mito
• Seiichi Mochizuki

Department of Medical Engineering, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama, 701-01, Japan; tel. +81 86 462 1111 x 3750; fax. +81 86 463 2975; email. ifmbe@me.kawasaki-m.ac.jp

Should you have any photos, brochures and other relevant information on previous congresses and other major activities, please send them to us at the above address.

The Japan Society of Medical Electronics and Biological Engineering (President: Dr. Tatsuo Togawa) can provide some financial support to this historical publication. However, we would have only a limited budget. If you really need any support, e.g. shipping costs and communication fees, please let us know. We would appreciate your kind understanding of our situation and your dedicated co- operation to this commemorative book.

Again, your comments on this plan would be most welcome. We look forward to the outcome.

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