As President of the Congress and on behalf of the International and Local Organizing Committee it is my great privilege to welcome you to the 15th  BANTAO Congress (Balkan Association of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Artificial Organs) in conjunction with the 6th  Congress of the Macedonian Society of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Artificial Organs (MSNDTAO) to be held in Skopje, R. N. Macedonia, 26-29 September, 2019.

The  Congress  is  supported  by  the  ERA-EDTA  (European  Renal  Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association), and the International Society of Nephrology (ISN). ERA- EDTA & ISN Course will follow at the last days of this extraordinary event. This Congress is certainly a special occasion for those who work for the development of Nephrology, in education, research and professional development. It will be an occasion to meet, to listen, to discuss, to share information and to plan for the future. Also, the 7th Southeastern European Pediatric Nephrology Working Group (SEPNWG) meeting will take place alongside these events, emphasizing the challenges that our youngest patients are facing and present the new treatment options for this most vulnerable population.

The Scientific Committee of the Congress has paid great attention to various topics in the field of Nephrology and the treatment of chronic renal disease. The invited speakers, all well known distinguished international experts and scientists, are coming from different parts of the Balkans and the world. During the Congress, issues will be discussed through a state of the art presentations and mini lectures involving Clinical Nephrology, Hypertension, Nephrolithiasis, Urinary tract infections, Adult dominant polycystic kidney disease, Prevention and treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease, Renal Replacement Therapy (Hemodialysis, Peritoneal Dialysis, Kidney Transplantation). In depths exchange of the knowledge within dedicated sessions will be at the chapters on Vascular Accesses (creation, surveillance and management of complications, both medical and surgical), Immunosuppressive treatment in Clinical nephrology and Kidney transplantation, etc.

I am deeply convinced that this event will be of an exceptional importance for the region, considering that we will be able to see all the international achievements and the most up-to- date methods used in the Nephrology field. I certainly hope that this rich variety of speakers and  activities  will  provide  fresh  impetus  for  advancements  in  education  as  well.  I  am confident, too, that we’ll further proceed with our well established BANTAO spirit or even get stronger bonds among us all who share the common goal of improvement in the Nephrology sphere.

Thus, we’ll be able to propose to our health decision-makers introduction of proven state of the art procedures in the prevention and treatment of kidney disease, which will improve the quality of life of our patients.

We have tried to provide  learning opportunities from experts, but also  we  invited  many colleagues from the region to actively participate sharing their clinical experience and research.

We are exceedingly counting on your active involvement to foster and exalt the clarification of the chosen scientific topics.

The host city Skopje will introduce its rich cultural places, historic tradition, mixture of old and modern architecture. It is the capital and largest city in the Republic of North Macedonia, with more  than  a  quarter  of  the  population  of  the  country,  as  well  as  the  political,  cultural, economic and academic centre of the country. We would encourage you to take a walk along our river “Vardar”, stroll along the narrow streets of the Old Bazaar, which is the biggest bazaar preserved in the Balkans today, Kale fortress, and certainly visit St. Pantelejmon church and admire the fresco ”Lamentation of Christ”, bearing the first signs of the Renaissance and the Matka canyon. Great traditional food and unique Macedonian wine, hospitality of the people, beautiful landscapes are the main reasons for each visitor to have unforgettable stay in Skopje.

I hope to see you here in Skopje in September to enjoy the Congress that we hope will be of interest to you and to simultaneously enjoy a pleasant welcoming city full of attractions.

Sincerely,

Prof. Goce Spasovski
President of the Congress

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