Tenth Anniversary International Medical Congress of SEEMF / 5th – 8th September 2019, Sofia, Bulgaria
Sofia, Bulgaria hosted the Tenth Anniversary International Medical Congress of the Southeast European Medical Forum, in the period of 5th-8th September 2019. It assembled participants from 25 countries all over the world, including Bulgaria, Israel, Russia, Switzerland Germany, Greece, Turkey, Slovenia, Croatia, Georgia, Ukraine, Albania, Belarus, North Macedonia, Latvia, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Romania, Republic of Srpska, Bosna and Herzegovina, 65 leading lecturers – prominent representatives of medical academia, world known specialists in transplantations, members of national medical associations, hospital directors and health managers and proved to be one of the most significant events in the history of the organization. 230 reports on the latest fundamental innovations, clinical trials, findings and advances in mediсal science and practice were presented. The Congress was held under the auspices of the Minister of Healthcare of Republic Bulgaria – Mr. Kiril Ananiev and the Ministry of Healthcare itself. The scientific program of the Congress was comprised and precisely incorporated by two international and local scientific committees, including topics of clinical and translational medicine, such as: Aging of the population; Cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular surgery, Transplantations; Gastroenterology. Transplantations; Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry; Nephrology and Urology. Transplantations; Sexual medicine and Reproductive health; Orthopedics and Traumatology. Calamity medicine; Pharmacotherapy and varia. Discussions over the politics related issues in the healthcare systems of the country members of SEEMF were integrated in the agenda of the event. In an atmosphere of academism and professionalism, the participants in the round table on the topic of “Challenges in the Healthcare systems – 21 st century. Values and Principles” shaped the health policies of the future in Southeastern Europe. They analyzed the demographic breakdown and migration of doctors in the region and outlined the main trends in dealing the “brain drain” phenomenon. The President of the World Medical Association – Prof. Leonid Eidelman was among the official guests of the Congress. His participation in the 10th International Medical Congress of SEEMF as a representative of the medical profession from all over the world was of great importance for the medical community of Southeastern Europe. The Congress was granted with 17 CME credits by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education. The active participation of 25 students in medicine from Georgia, Greece, North Macedonia and Bulgaria in the scientific sessions was crucial to the 10th Anniversary Medical Congress of SEEMF. Within the frame structure of SEEMF the youth organization of the students in medicine from Southeastern Europe with President Mr. Vidin Kirkov – President of the Student Council Medical University – Sofia, Bulgaria was founded. Israel Medical Association, Bulgaria Society of Endovascular Therapy, Bulgarian Association for Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery, Balkan Wound Management Association and The Youth Organization of the Students in Medicine from Southeastern Europe were accepted as SEEMF’s members. Nine new members – Prof. Ivo Petrov, Prof. Grigor Gorchev, Prof. Krassimir Gigov, Mr. Vidin Kirkov (Bulgaria), Prof. Zion Hagay, Dr. Alexander Levin (Israel), Prof. Goce Spasovski (North Macedonia), Dr. Peteris Apinis (Latvia), Prim. Dr. Jasmina Begić (Bosnia and Herzegovina) were anonymously elected in the Board during the regular board meeting of the organization. The Board approved the traditional award nominations for outstanding physicians of Southeastern Europe and distinguished contribution to the development of world medicine and science. The first winners of the newly found awards: Prof. Todor Cherkezov (Bulgaria) – “Outstanding Physician of Southeastern Europe in Public Health”, Assoc. Prof. Stanimir Sirakov (Bulgaria)- Young Outstanding Physician of Southeastern Europe in the Area of Medicine, Assoc. Prof. Alexandrina Vodenicharova (Bulgaria) – Young Outstanding Scientist in the Area of Public Health were announced. The President of the World Medical Association Prof. Leonid Eidelman was honored with an awarded for contribution to the development of international collaboration between medical associations.