• Initially there were 4 regions, Europe, The Americas, Asia, and the South Pacific.
  
  
• In 2010,  at the  IOA World Conference held in Franckfurt Germany,  the Asia and the South Pacific were consolidated into one region and so the Asia & South Pacific Ostomy Association was born.
  
  
• The ASPOA Region covers an area from Iran in the west across to Japan in the east and down to Australia and New Zealand
  
  
• There are now as thirteen paid up members although we do operate in a number of other countries as well and are working to bring them into the fold. Very few of these countries have English as their primary language.

• Assist in the formation of new country association.
  
  
• Assist current associations to advance and help their members:

  • By helping with training of Stoma nurses.

    By being available to work with an association to deal with   Govt health authorities if asked.

    By working with associations for World Ostomy Day.

    By helping associations with ostomy visitor training.

Past experience shows to get a new association started from nothing there MUST be three things present:

1.The ostomates who are willing to make a start and work with others.

2.The appliance companies in order to supply product.

3.The medical people by the Nurses or Doctors and preferably both.