President Romanian Society of Nephrology
On behalf of Joint Action Nephrology Eastern Europe
Upon invitation by the Romanian Society of Nephrology (Societatea Romana de Nefrologie) the Joint Action Nephrology Eastern Europe, combining the efforts of the International Society Nephrology (COMGAN), European Renal Association and Gesellschaft Nephrologie, organized a one day course on clinical nephrology in Bukarest.
In an introductory lecture, Professor Dr Al. Ciocalteu gave an update on nephrology in Romania emphasizing the demographic evolution, the recent efforts to increase renal transplantation (so far a live donor programme is in existence and initial steps for cadaver donor transplantation have been taken), the recent expansion of dialysis centres across the country, and the restructuring of reimbursement procedures. He also provided projections for the demographic evolution in the near future. This was followed by four lectures on various topics in clinical nephrology: Professor Lameire (Gent) on management of the patient with acute renal failure, Professor Pirson (Brussels) on medical management of the transplanted patient, Professor Ritz (Heidelberg) on diabetic nephropathy and Professor Bommer (Heidelberg) on selected topics in maintenance haemodialysis. This was followed by a clinicopathological conference, organized by Professor Sonkodi and Ivany (Szeged/Hungary). There was an animated debate between nephrologists, pathologists and the audience. The meeting was attended by more than 150 participants. The programme provided ample time for discussion. The discussions reflected an impressive state of knowledge and information of the audience, and attested to the willingness to debate and exchange opinion with experts from abroad.
There was consensus that this conference was extremely rewarding and that it should be followed by similar events in the future.