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On behalf of the Congress Organising Committee and the South African Association for Clinical Biochemistry (SAACB), it gives me great pleasure to invite colleagues to the Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (WorldLab). This meeting is also being organized in co-operation with the African Federation of Clinical Chemistry (AFCC). It is the first time that such a meeting is being held in Africa and reflects the growing importance of this continent.

WorldLab 2017 promises to be one of the best with a unique blend of innovative science, evidence based labo- ratory medicine and an emphasis on personalized medicine. This reflects the changing directions of science and medicine with greater attention being paid to prevention and risk stratification. Because of the expanding role of laboratory medicine, we plan to combine this meeting with other clinical specialities which will underscore the overarching influence of laboratory medicine in health care.

The scientific and social programmes will provide opportunities to forge new collab- orations and to connect with leaders of the diagnostic industry at the IVD product show linked to the three-day conference/workshop program. We are confident that this meeting will attract delegates from all the member IFCC societies and that each regional federation will play an important role in making this meeting one of the best in recent times.

Africa is traditionally associated with its magnificent wildlife and unique cultural diversity. South Africa provides an opportunity to discover both of them. Durban, a melting pot for African and Indian cultures, is a coastal city with a tropical climate and pristine beaches and surfing. Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana are close by and can easily be assessed by air via Johannesburg. Durban is the site for various clinical trials and some of the major breakthroughs in the management of patients with HIV have been made here.

The kingdom of KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa beckons and extends a warm welcome to all of you. It’s a unique cultural destination littered with historical sites of past battles fought between the Zulus and the British forces. Hiking in the majestic Drakensburg Mountains, barely an hour away, is an activity not to be missed. The famous Table Mountain in Cape Town and the world renowned Kruger National Park are easily accessible.

The Organizing Committee of WorldLab, the South African Association for Clinical Biochemistry and African Federation of Clinical Chemistry look forward to welcoming you to Durban in the Royal Kingdom of KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa in 2017.

Professor Rajiv Erasmus,
Congress President and Chairman of the Organizing Committee,
WorldLab 2017, Durban

Professor Tahir S. Pillay,
Congress President and Chairman of the Scientific Programme Committee, WorldLab 2017, Durban
President, South African Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine