Тhе Third International Medical Congress of SEEMF took place in Belgrade, Serbia in the period 12-15 September 2012. Reports on major topics, namely Cardiology, Diabetes, Oncology and Immunization in the 21st century aroused great interest among the participants. The agenda included discussions on “Health and health systems in Southeast Europe in the 21st Century” and “National medical associations and chambers in Southeastern Europe – the role of professional self-regulation.” A significant number of participants shared their views on these issues.

During the Congress a Board Meeting was held at which changes to the SEEMF Statutes were adopted and elections were held for Board leaders. SEEMF President, two Vice-Presidents and Secretary General were elected.

The meeting adopted the following

SEEMF STATEMENT ON THE INTEGRITY OF THE NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEMS

Adopted by the Third International Medical Congress of SEEMF, Belgrade, Serbia, September 2012

The participants of the Third International Medical Congress organized by the Southeast European Medical Forum (SEEMF), which brings together organizations of physicians from Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Serbia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, with representatives from Russia and Romania – a region in which there are about 500,000 practicing physicians, following the basic principles and objectives of WHO and WMA, as well as the priorities of SEEMF and the organizations of physicians in our countries, declare that they:

• Recommend to join the efforts of the public health sector, NGOs, academia, citizens, private companies and government agencies and to recognize that health is a priority for the development of each country and to provide adequate financial resources in order to guarantee achievement of high quality modern healthcare, as well as the priorities and goals of WHO Strategy 2020.
• Believe that the main feature of a democratic and socially responsible government should be its responsibility for the health of the population and the guarantee of equal access to health care for all citizens, regardless of their ability to pay for health care.