Welcome Message - The 1st Asia Professional Association for Transgender Health (ASIAPATH 2026)

Welcome Message to the First AsiaPATH Conference

Dr. Mak Kai Lok
Specialist in Psychiatry
Honorary Clinical Associate Professor, Department Of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Honorary Clinical Assistant Professor, Department Of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong

Dear Esteemed Guests and Participants,

We are delighted to welcome you to the first AsiaPATH conference, marking a significant milestone as we gather for our first physical meeting post-COVID. Your presence here reflects our shared commitment to advancing the care and welfare of transgender individuals across Asia.

We extend our deepest appreciation to our dedicated council members, ThaiPATH and all related parties whose tireless efforts over the past three years have made this event possible. A special acknowledgment goes to Professor Preecha Tiewtranon, our founding President of AsiaPATH, whose vision and leadership have been instrumental in bringing us together today.

Transgender individuals in Asia have historically faced numerous challenges due to diverse cultural norms, rituals, and taboos. These factors often lead to significant barriers in accessing professional healthcare, resulting in severe mental health disturbances and a diminished quality of life.

In contrast to the West, we have yet to establish a systematic healthcare and welfare model tailored specifically for transgender individuals in our region. This conference provides an invaluable opportunity for us to come together, discuss, and devise effective strategies for improving clinical care, advancing research, and establishing Standards of Care that can truly benefit our transgender communities.

This gathering also serves as an important platform for members of the trans community to connect, share their experiences, and exchange ideas and challenges.

We look forward to your participation and contributions, and hope to see each of you at the conference as we strive for a brighter and more equitable future for all.

Thank you.