The Wife of the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Elizabeta Gjorgievska, participated today in a panel discussion on organ donation and transplantation: “What has been done? How far are we? “Where are we going?”
The interlocutors discussed the educational and informational activities aimed at raising awareness among citizens about transplantation and donation, the challenges of the Macedonian Donor Registry, the current situation, the successful examples and progress made in recent years, the legislation and whether amendments are needed, as well as the problems faced by patients in need of transplantation. Kiril Jancovski, a patient with a kidney transplant, shared his personal story.
In her address, Gjorgievska praised the successful examples of transplantation, which are seen as a huge step forward in the Macedonian health system, adding that the knowledge, capacity readiness and above all the enthusiasm of all those involved in the process will further result in success.
“The figures show that a lot has been done in this area, but much more can be done in the future. The most important thing is to raise awareness that transplantation is one of the wonders of modern medicine and we should always appeal to humanity, solidarity and empathy among people. In our country, people are humane, but they should also be informed. Every day we should work to increase the awareness that transplantation and organ donation save lives and improve the quality of life of people”, Gjorgievska said.
She expressed satisfaction with this series of successfully implemented debates in the health sector, as an excellent opportunity for young doctors to get acquainted with the progress in certain areas of the health system. Gjorgievska added that there are exceptional experts in the country in all areas of transplantation and that it is especially important to dedicate ourselves to young staff and their education in world centers in order to apply world practices and the latest trends.
Regarding organ donation and legal regulations, Gjorgievska said that the wish of the donor should be respected first, but also to take into account the psychological state of the families in those critical moments.
The debate was attended by Nikola Brzanov from the Club of Young Doctors, Prof. Dr. Aleksandar Petlichkovski, Head of the Institute of Immunology and Human Genetics, Dr. Irina Panovska – Stavridis, Director of the Clinic of Hematology, Dr. Bozidar Kochovski from the Association of Trainees and Young Doctors, Dr. Maja Mojsova Mijovska, National Coordinator for Transplantation, Dushko Gjorgjiev from the Association of Kidney Patients NEFRON and the Head of the EU Delegation, Ambassador David Geer.
They said that these processes must have supranational support, be clear and transparent, have provided budget funds to strengthen existing procedures and introduce new treatment options for patients, better monitoring and better quality of life for all transplant patients.
The panel discussion is a continuation of a series of debates on health topics that began last year, with the support of the President’s Wife, Elizabeta Gjorgievska, and Ambassador David Geer.
