About ASEAN Neurological Association
ASNA is an acronym for the ASEAN Neurological Association. ASEAN, in turn, is the abbreviation for the Association of South East Asian Nations. There are strong reasons for the neurologists in South East Asia to come together for networking and to form an association. There are now close to three thousand neurologists in South East Asia. There is a need for the neurology fraternity within the region to meet and communicate more frequently in order to learn from one another, to solve the common problems and together develop neurology in the region.
On the 17th of November, 1994, in the beautiful Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, the ASEAN Neurological Association (ASNA) was inaugurated. ASNA membership presently consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, all the 10 nation states of ASEAN. Timor Leste joined as the 11th member of ASNA in 2023.
The first biennial scientific meeting was successfully held in Manila in December, 1995. Since then, there has been biennial convention every two years in one of the South East Asian cities, Singapore (1997), Chiangmai (1999), Kuala Lumpur (2001), Cebu (2003), Jakarta (2005), Cha-Am (2007), Kuala Lumpur (2009), Bali (2011), Bandar Sri Begawan (2013), Singapore (2015), Manila (2017), Yangon (2019), Bangkok (2021), and Danang (2023).
Other than the biennial convention, other ASNA activities are:
- Neurology Asia (formerly known as the Neurological Journal of South East Asia), which is also the official journal for ASNA, and also the Asian & Oceanian Association of Neurology (AOAN) and Asian & Oceanian Child Neurology Association (AOCNA). Neurology Asia has published regularly for the last 23 years.
- Joint Asian Epilepsy Academy (ASEPA)-ASNA EEG certification examination.
- Workshops and symposiums on various specialty themes, visiting professorship, and exchange fellowship.
- Subspecialty chapters such as stroke and CNS infection, to facilitate joint research and training.
- ASNA Life Time Achievement Award and Outstanding Contribution Award.
ASNA Leadership
The office bearers of ASNA are as follows:
Chairman
- Simeon M Marasigan (1994-1995)
- Shih Hui Lim (1995-1997)
- PrasertBoongird (1997-1999)
- Chong Tin Tan (1999-2001)
- Alejandro C Baroque II (2001-2003)
President
- Shih Hui Lim (2003-2007)
- Khean Jin Goh (2007-2011)
- Dede Gunawan (2011-2015)
ASNA Executive Committee (2015-2019)
- Hui Meng Chang (President)
- Niphon Poungvarin (Vice-President)
- Norazieda Yassin (Secretary)
- Ai Huey Tan (Treasurer)
- Norzieda Yassain (Secretary)
- Chong Tin Tan (Editor-in-Chief, Neurology Asia)
- Shih Hui Lim (Education Officer)
ASNA Executive Committee (2019-2023)
- Maria Annette Bautista (President)
- Nijasri Charnnarong Suwanwela (Vice-President)
- Norazieda Yassin (Secretary)
- Arnold Angelo Pineda (Treasurer)
- Wan Chung Law (Treasurer)
- Chong Tin Tan (Editor-in-Chief, Neurology Asia)
- Shih Hui Lim (Education Officer)
ASNA Executive Committee (2023-2027)
- Kheng Seang Lim (President)
- Nijasri Charnnarong Suwanwela (Vice-President)
- Norazieda Yassin (Secretary)
- Arnold Angelo Pineda (Treasurer)
- Wan Chung Law (Assistant Treasurer, appointed)
- Chong Tin Tan (Editor-in-Chief, Neurology Asia)
- Hoang Tien Trong Nghia (Education Officer)
- Wan Chung Law (Assistant Treasurer, appointed) 2023-2024
- Ahmad Shahir Mawardi (Assistant Treasurer, appointed) 2024-2025
ASNA General Council
- Norazieda Yassin (Brunei)
- Naomi Harun (Brunei)
- Chan Samleng (Cambodia)
- Chum Navuth (Cambodia)
- Paulus Sugianto (Indonesia)
- Dodik Tugasworo (Indonesia)
- Ahmad Yanuar Safri (Indonesia)
- Somchit Vorachit (Laos)
- Saysavath Keosodsay (Laos)
- Khean Jin Goh (Malaysia)
- Kheng Seang Lim (Malaysia)
- Wan Chung Law (Malaysia)
- Win Min Thit (Myanmar)
- Phyu Phyu Lay (Myanmar)
- Moe Moe Zaw (Myanmar)
- Annette Baustica (Philippines)
- Arnold Angelo Pineda (Philippines)
- Hui Meng Chang (Singapore)
- Raymond Seet (Singapore)
- Naraporn Prayoonwiwat (Thailand)
- Nijasri Suwanwela (Thailand)
- Mateus Pinheiro (Timor Leste)
- Brigido Simao de Deus (Timor Leste)
- Nguyen Huu Cong (Vietnam)
- Le Van Tuan (Vietnam)
Who Are We ?
Our Key Activities
- Biennial Scientific Convention held in various ASEAN cities since 1995
- Neurology Asia: Official journal for ASNA, AOAN, and AOCNA
- Joint EEG Certification with ASEPA, and specialty workshops
- Subspecialty Chapters in stroke, CNS infections, and more
- Visiting Professorships, Fellowships, and Academic Collaborations
Our Mission
With nearly 3,000 neurologists across Southeast Asia, ASNA promotes regular communication and collaboration to solve shared challenges, advance neurological care, and support the professional growth of neurologists through networking, training, and education.
Recognition & Legacy
ASNA honors excellence in neurology through the Lifetime Achievement Award and Outstanding Contribution Award, celebrating individuals who have significantly advanced the field of neurology in the region.