Sunday 25th March, 2007: For Immediate Release

AAFM Signs Agreement to Deliver Healthcare Finance Training Programs in the Middle East in Presence of Minister of Health, State of Victoria, Australia.

Press Release

H.E. Sheikh Yousef Abdullah Sabah Nasser Al-Sabah, Chairman & CEO of American Academy of Financial Management (AAFM), Kuwait and Mr. Don Kay, Chairman of Victorian Healthcare Association Global (VHAG) today signed an agreement for VHAG to prepare and deliver, in Kuwait, a series of five-day training programs tailored to healthcare financial management needs. The training programs will be certified and delivered by the American Academy of Financial Management (AAFM) at its training centre to be opened in Salhia Complex in May this year.

The signing was witnessed and counter-signed by Hon Minister Bronwyn Pike, MP & Minister of Health, State Government of Victoria, Australia who was in Kuwait for a visit to public and private healthcare facilities. Also in attendance were Hon Dr. Ralph King, Australian Ambassador to Kuwait, Mr. Trevor Carr, CEO of Victorian Healthcare Association, Mr. Peter Deacon, Middle East Executive Director, Victorian Government Business Office, and Mr. Geoffrey Bye, American Academy of Financial Management (AAFM), GCC Chapter President.

After the signing ceremony H.E. Sheikh Yousef Abdullah Sabah Nasser Al-Sabah said, "The American Academy of Financial Management (AAFM) is pleased to deliver these courses in Kuwait, a first for the region, and to deliver international best practice from both sides of the globe. We need to continually upgrade our skills and knowledge in the financial management of the healthcare sector in order that we can compete effectively within the region. Cooperation between government, private industry and training centres of excellence are a pre-requisite to tackling the complex business of optimizing value for money in the healthcare sector".
Hon Minister of Health Pike emphasized that, "We are proud to have one of the most integrated public and private healthcare sectors in the world, a successful model which has been studied and transferred worldwide. The partnership opportunities between the Victorian Sate Government of Australia and the public and private sectors in Kuwait are advantageous to all, allowing for the sharing of knowledge, the joint-development of skills and the transfer of best practices across the healthcare sector".

Mr. Don Kay further added, "Managing healthcare finances is one of the biggest challenges facing societies all over the world. The AAFM/VHAG training programs will help healthcare practitioners and managers develop skills and techniques to identify operational efficiencies and optimize benefits from investments in facilities, equipment and people. We look forward to delivering the training programs in Kuwait from May onwards."

For further information please contact:
Hana Roumani
Business Development Manager
AAFM Kuwait
T: 2424 432
F: 2424 423
M: 9470662
E: hroumani@aafmgcc.com

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AAFM is the world's fastest growing association of financial professionals, with approximately 40,000 members in over 145 countries, through the provision of executive management training courses and the awarding of internationally recognized certifications and post-nominal designations.

With offices in Dubai, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Singapore, San Francisco, Monterey, New Orleans, Melbourne, Beijing, the Caribbean, India and Europe, AAFM is fast becoming the world's leading professional association for financial practitioners.

VHA Global is an alliance between the Victorian Healthcare Association Ltd (VHA) and United Medical Group Australia Pty Ltd (UMGA).

Victorian Healthcare Association is the summit body for all government hospitals and community health services in Victoria, Australia, and through its membership of the Australian Healthcare Association provides a conduit to capabilities in other states of Australia. The VHA Board of Directors comprises Board members from constituent public hospitals and health centers appointed by the Minister for Health and also Chief Executive Officers from Metropolitan and Regional health services. VHA works closely with the Victorian Department of Human Services and holds representation on all significant government and health industry policy committees and advisory groups.

For further information please contact:
Hana Roumani
Business Development Manager
AAFM Kuwait
T: 2424 432
F: 2424 423
M: 9470662
E: hroumani@aafmgcc.com