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MASAМАНУ

CONTRIBUTIONS. Sec. of Med. Sci., XL 3, 2019ПРИЛОЗИ. Одд. за мед. науки, XL 3, 2019

ISSN 1857-9345UDC: 616.61(062)(497)(049.3)

ABSTRACT

The Balkan Cities Association of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Artificial Organs (BANTAO) was established in Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia on October 9, 1993 during the First Congress of the Macedonian Society of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Artificial Organs (MSNDTAO).The idea of the founders was that such Society would have a clear impact on several aspects of practice and research in nephrology and artificial organs in the Balkans, firstly, by increasing its international visibility and potential collaborative work, and recognition by international organizations. Secondly, such a society would facilitate the exchange of experience and knowledge between experts in our area. In addition, it would be a very positive symbolic act showing that collaborative work for the betterment of life is possible and desirable in our area and that coming together will bear better fruits at the human and cultural levels. It will also send a very clear signal to the outside world that the Balkans can be a place of collaboration and mutual understanding. Several international bodies such as the International Society of Artificial Organs and the International Faculty of Artificial Organs have signaled their interest in and support for the creation of such a society. Despite the turbulent times in the Balkan Peninsula, the First BANTAO Congress was held in Varna from September 22 to 24, 1995, which was an impressive event. F. Valderrabano, Chairman of the EDTA–ERA registry reported on that event with a lot of sympathy in the paper entitled “Nephrologists of the Balkan countries meet across political frontiers and war fronts – an example to politicians. The foundation of and the Second Congress of BANTAO were also well accepted by the colleagues nephrologists from Russia. The Second Congress was held on September 6-10, 1997 in Struga, the Third BANTAO Congress was held on September 18-20, 1998 in Belgrade, the Fourth Congress of BANTAO was held in Izmir on November 14-16, 1999, the Fifth Congress of BANTAO was held in Thessaloniki on September 30 – October 3, 2001, the 6th BANTAO Congress was held in Varna, on October 6-9, 2003, the 7th BANTAO Congress was held in Ohrid, on September 8-11, 2005, the 8th BANTAO Congress was held in Belgrade, on September 16-19, 2007, the 9th BANTAO Congress was held in Antalya, November 18-22, 2009, the 10th BANTAO Congress was held in Chalkidiki, October 13-15, 2011, the 11th BANTAO Congress was held from 26 to 29 September 2013 in Timisoara on the 20th Anniversary of the foundation of BANTAO, the 12th BANTAO Congress was held on October 15-18, 2015 in Opatija, the 13th BANTAO Congress was held on 4-8 October, 2017 in Sarajevo, the 14th BANTAO Congress was held on September 20-23, 2018, in Budva and the 15th BANTAO Congress was held in Skopje, 26-29 September 2019.Another milestone in the life of BANTAO was the appearance of the BANTAO journal in 2003, which has been published biannually since then. In the past 17 years there have been 33 editions of the journal and seven supplements reporting BANTAO congresses. The editors of the journal past and present are: 2003–2005 (Dimitar Nenov); 2005–2009 (Ali Basci); 2009– (Goce Spasovski). Up to date, more than 400

Corresponding author: Momir Polenakovic, Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Blvd. Krste Misirkov 2, Skopje, North Macedonia, e-mail: [email protected]

1 Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Skopje, North Macedonia2 University Department of Nephrology, Medical Faculty, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, North Macedonia

Momir Polenakovic1 and Goce Spasovski2

IDEAS AND SPIRIT OF THE BALKAN CITIES ASSOCIATION OF NEPHROLOGY, DIALYSIS, TRANSPLANTATION AND ARTIFICIAL ORGANS (BANTAO) CONNECT NEPHROLOGISTS FROM THE BALKAN CITIES – FROM THE FOUNDATION TO THE 15th BANTAO CONGRESS

6 Momir Polenakovic and Goce Spasovski

INTRODUCTION

Following the First scientific meeting of the nephrologists from the former Yugoslavia, held from 26 to 28 September 1977 in Struga, Repub-lic of Macedonia, which was a strong impetus for the development of nephrology in Yugoslavia, the cooperation between the nephrologists from Yugo-slavia became more and more developed with the

aim of improving the diagnostics and treatment of the patients with kidney disease [1].

The last Fourth Congress of the Yugoslav Society of Nephrology was held in Skopje, R. Macedonia, from 27 to 30 September 1989. Nu-merous nephrologists from the country and abroad participated in the Congress. Some of the papers presented at the Congress were published in the Proceedings of the Congress “Nephrology ‘89” [2]. Unfortunately, shortly after the Congress, former Yugoslavia collapsed in a bloody war.

papers have been published. The BANTAO journal is registered on EBSCO, DOAJ, SCOPUS, and has become a strong ‘glue’ among nephrologists from the Balkan cities. The BANTAO congresses and the BANTAO journal have succeeded in elevating nephrology knowledge and thus increased the standards of nephrology patient care throughout the Balkans. Standing above the divisive forces of politics, language and war, BANTAO gives a living example that collaboration and humility are feasible in times of mad-dening destruction, and are transformative.

Keywords: Balkan Cities Association of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Artificial Organs (BANTAO), Congresses, BANTAO journal

Fig. 1. Copy of the initiative

7IDEAS AND SPIRIT OF BANTAO

Fratricide, destruction and cruelty were the norm. Nevertheless, in spite of the hatred and po-litical intrigue, Balkan nephrologists were willing to cooperate with each other.

During the scientific symposium on the occa-sion of 20 years of chronic hemodialysis in Mace-donia – “Nephrology Today and Tomorrow”, from 16 to 17 May 1991, Skopje, Republic of Macedo-nia (3), besides domestic nephrologists, prominent nephrologists from abroad, as Prof. Kemal Onen, President of the Turkish Nephrologists Associa-tion, Prof. V. Cambi from Italy, Secretary of ERA / EDTA, Prof. Nenov, Director of the Varna Neph-rology Clinic, Bulgaria, Assoc. Prof. R. Kveder from Ljubljana, Slovenia, Dr. A. Radmilovic from Belgrade, Serbia, Assoc. Prof. V. Djordjevic from Nis, Serbia and Assoc. Prof. Labar from Novi Sad, Serbia have participated.

During the Symposium, it was agreed to in-itiate the formation of a Balkan Nephrology As-sociation.

The nephrologists from Macedonia (M. Po-lenakovic), Bulgaria (D. Nenov), Serbia (A. Radmi-lovic) and Turkey (K. Onen) signed a memorandum in which this idea was articulated. [3]

The war in Yugoslavia created hatred among people, between the newly established countries, and there were problems with the recognition of the names of the new countries. To overcome this the nephrologists decided to apply the ancient princi-ple of using the names of the cities, instead of the countries in founding of BANTAO.

BANTAO WAS ESTABLISHED IN OHRID, R. MACEDONIA, ON OCTOBER 9, 1993

So, after the discussion of this initiative, which has grown with time, and during the First Congress of the Macedonian Society of Nephrology, Dialysis,

Fig. 2. Letter of intention for establishing the BANTAO


Transplantation and Artificial Organs (MSNDTAO) on October 9, 1993, this idea was reconfirmed and transformed into the idea of establishing a Balkan Cities Association of Nephrology, Dialysis, Trans-plantation and Artificial Organs (BANTAO). So, BANTAO was born in Ohrid, Republic of Macedo-nia on October 9, 1993.

A task force was formed from representatives of different societies from the Balkan Peninsula to make this project a reality. The task force included the following members: S. Kodra (Tirana), D. Nenov (Varna), Z. Kirjakov (Sofia), Gj. Masin (Skopje), M. Polenaković (Skopje), F. Akcicek (Izmir), E. J. Dorhout Mess (Izmir), Lj. Djukanović (Belgrade), A. Radmilović (Belgrade) and S. Strahinjić (Nis). Momir H. Polenaković, President of the Macedonian Society of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Artificial Organs, was elected as chairman of the task force (Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).

In the letter addressed to the Presidents of the Balkan Societies of Nephrology, the task force members wrote: “It was clear to the participants that the founding of such a Society would have a clear impact on several aspects of practice and research

Beside nephrologists from the Balkan cities, our international and well recognized colleagues and friends Prof. H. Klinkmann, Prof. J. Vienken, Prof. E. J. Dorhout Mees, Prof. D. Falkenhagen and Prof. P. Ivanovich helped us in creation of a platform for the Association [4].

Fig. 3. Some of the Participants of the I Congress of the MSDNTAO and Founders of BANTAO

in nephrology and artificial organs in the Balkans, firstly, by increasing its international visibility and potential collaborative work, and recognition by international organizations. Secondly, such a socie-ty would facilitate the exchange of experience and knowledge between experts in our area. In addition, it would be a very positive symbolic act showing that collaborative work for the betterment of life is possible and desirable in our area and that com-ing together will bear better fruits at the human and cultural levels. It will also send a very clear signal to the outside world that the Balkans can be a place of collaboration and mutual understanding. Several international bodies such as the International Society of Artificial Organs and the International Faculty of Artificial Organs have signaled their interest in and support for the creation of such a society.”


Varna), which was an impressive event. F. Valderra-bano, Chairman of the EDTA–ERA registry reported on that event with a lot of sympathy in the paper enti-tled “Nephrologists of the Balkan countries meet across political frontiers and war fronts – an example to politi-cians!” (Fig. 4) [5].

BANTAO CONGRESSES

Despite the turbulent times in the Balkan Penin-sula, the First BANTAO Congress was held in Varna from September 22 to 24, 1995 (President D. Nenov,

Fig. 4. Report: “Nephrologists of the Balkan countries meet across political frontiers and war fronts – an example to politicians!”

BANTAO continues to rise and grow: the Second Congress was held on September 6-10, 1997 in Struga (President M. Polenakovic, Skopje)

[6]. The foundation of and the Second Congress of BANTAO were well accepted by the colleagues nephrologists from Russia (Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) [7].


Fig. 5. Cover of the Russian journal Nephrology


Fig. 6. The article from the Nephrology journal about the Second Congress of BANTAO, 6-10. X 1997, Struga, R. Macedonia


The 3rd BANTAO Congress was held on September 18-20, 1998 in Belgrade (President Lj. Djukanovic), the 4th BANTAO Congress was held in Izmir on November 14-16, 1999 (President F. Akcicek, Izmir) and the 5th BAN-TAO Congress was held in Thessaloniki on Sep-tember 30 – October 3, 2001 (President Ch. P. Stathakis, Athens).

Dimkovic et al. [8] said that the number of participants, presented papers and lectures from distinguished guests increased from congress to congress, although the Association did not even had its own statute, nor membership fee. BAN-TAO has lived and has thrived to friendship,

respect and appreciation among the leading ne-phrologists from the BANTAO region transferred to all other participants [6]. Ch. Stathakis called the links that connect us as “spirit of BANTAO” and presented it in the logo of the Fifth Congress that became the logo of BANTAO [9, 10].

The next cycle of congresses were held in the same countries as the first five.

The 6th BANTAO Congress was held in Varna, on October 6-9, 2003. President was D. Nenov.

The 7th BANTAO Congress was held in Ohrid, on September 8-11, 2005. President was M. Polenakovic (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7. Main announcement of the 7th BANTAO Congress, 8-11. IX. 2005, Ohrid, R. Macedonia


The 8th BANTAO Congress was held in Belgrade, on September 16-19, 2007. President was V. Nesic.

The 9th BANTAO Congress was held in Antalya, November 18-22, 2009. President was A. Basci.

The 10th BANTAO Congress was held in Chalkidiki, October 13-15, 2011. President was D. Tsakiris.

The 11th BANTAO Congress was held from 26 to 29 September 2013 in Timisoara on the 20th Anniversary of the foundation of BAN-TAO (Fig. 8 left panel). President of the Con-gress was A. Schiller. The 12th BANTAO Con-gress was held on October 15-18, 2015 in Opati-ja. President was P. Kes (Fig. 8 right panel).

The 12th BANTAO Congress was held on October 15-18, 2015 in Opatija. President was P. Kes (Fig. 8).

The 13th BANTAO Congress was held on 4-8 October, 2017 in Sarajevo, President was H. Resic.

The 14th BANTAO Congress was held on September 20-23, 2018, in Budva, President was M. Mugosa-Ratkovic.

The 15th BANTAO Congress was held in Skopje, 26-29 September 2019, President was G. Spasovski.

The 16th BANTAO Congress will be held in Tirana in 2020.

The 15th BANTAO Congress that was held in Skopje, 26-29 September 2019, Pres-ident G. Spasovski, was in honor of the 80th Anniversary of Academician Momir H. Po-lenakovic, founder of the BANTAO Associa-tion (Fig. 9 and Fig. 10).

Fig. 8. BANTAO journals (11th BANTAO Congress, 26-29. IX. 2013 (left panel), Timisoara and 12th BANTAO Congress 15-18. X. 2015 (right panel), Opatija)


Fig. 9. Annoucement of the 15th BANTAO Congress, 26-29. IX. 2019, Skopje, R. Macedonia


Apart from the well-organized scientific part of the Congress, acknowledgement were made to several distinguished members of the BANTAO Association for their contribution

to the development of BANTAO. Acad. Horst Klinkmann talked about “80th anniversary of Acad. Momir Polenakovic - scientist, visionary and friend” (Fig. 11).

Fig. 10. Opening ceremony of the 15th BANTAO Congress


Acad. Horst Klinkmann said that the great scientific contribution of Momir Polenakov-ic to the development of the nephrology in R. Macedonia and in the Balkan Peninsula, are also recognized by the distinguished international so-

cieties, such as: National Kidney Foundation of the United States of America (Fig. 12 and Fig. 13); International Society of Nephrology (Fig. 14 and Fig. 15); ERA-EDTA (Fig. 16) and BAN-TAO (Fig. 17)

Fig. 11. Speech of Horst Klinkmann about Momir Polenakovic

Fig. 12. International medal in 1997 of the National Kidney Foundation of the United States of America


Fig. 13. Recipients of the International medal in 1997 of the National Kidney Foundation of the United States of America, from left to right: B. Rutkowski (Poland), G. Eknoyan,

President of the National Kidney Foundation of the USA and M. Polenakovic (Republic of Macedonia)

Fig. 14. Award from the International Society of Nephrology (ISN)


Fig. 15. Award from the International Society of Nephrology (ISN)


Fig. 16. Certificate of the ERA-EDTA


Fig. 17. BANTAO Award to Academician Momir Polenakovic – the founder of BANTAO for his continuous work in the development

of BANTAO on the occasion of his 80th Anniversary, presented by the President of the Congress, Prof. Goce Spasovski


Acad. Polenakovic thanked the promoters and the participants in the Congress for the beau-tiful wishes for good health and future work. He said that thank to the cooperation with the colleagues from various medical disciplines, he was given the chance to give contribution to the

nephrology. He also said that he has learned a lot from the patients how one is to fight for a better life. He presented the current MSNDTAO Presi-dent Goce Spasovski with his recently published books in the field of nephrology.

M. Polenakovic presented as gifts his pub-lications about nephrology (7 volumes of Pub-lications and 3 books on nephrology) to Goce Spasovski, President of the Macedonian Society of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Ar-tificial Organs.

Prof. Spasovski, President of the Congress awarded Horst Klinkmann with the recognition “BANTAO award”.

Fig. 18. M. Polenakovic presented as gifts his publications about nephrology (7 vol-umes of Publications and 3 books on nephrology) to Goce Spasovski, President of the Macedonian Society of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Artificial Organs

Fig. 19. Prof. Spasovski, President of the Congress awarded Horst Klinkmann with the recognition “BANTAO award”


Bantao Congresses were since 2005 in Ohrid, 2007 in Belgrade, 2013 in Timisoara, 2015 in Opatija, 2017 in Sarajevo and 2019 in Skopje, inevitably and generously supported by the ERA-EDTA and/or ISN.

Another milestone in the life of BANTAO was the appearance of the BANTAO journal in 2003, which has been published biannually since then [4]. In the past 17 years there have been 33 editions of the journal and seven supplements reporting BANTAO congresses. The editors of the journal past and present are: 2003–2005 (Dimitar Nenov); 2005–2009 (Ali Basci); 2009– (Goce Spasovski). Up to date, more than 400 pa-pers have been published. The BANTAO journal is registered on EBSCO, DOAJ, SCOPUS, and has become a strong ‘glue’ among nephrologists from the Balkan cities.

Despite the difficulties imposed by devas-tating wars and catastrophic earthquakes, BAN-TAO has flourished through the passion and com-mitment of nephrologists to their patients and to

renal science [5]. The BANTAO Congress has been established as the major scientific and insti-tutional forum for Balkan nephrologists, with its own journal, indicating our will to communicate, to collaborate, to get to know each other, and to share our difficulties and our successes.

What should BANTAO do in future?1. Improve further cooperation between the

nephrologists and physicians from other related medical specialties from the Balkan cities and the colleagues from Europe and the world. 2. Im-prove basic and clinical education and research in nephrology in the region. 3. Discover, treat and register patients with CKD. 4. Ensure early diag-nose of diabetes mellitus and hypertension and halt or delay progression to end-stage renal dis-ease. 5. Establish registries for renal biopsy and for rare renal diseases. 6. Improve renal transplan-tation and establish a Balkan transplant network, connecting with other renal transplant networks in Europe and the world. 7. Improve the fight against infections (especially against hepatitis C). 8. Or-

Fig. 20. ISN Pioneering award was delivered to Halima Resic from Sarajevo by Fergus Caskey


ganize joint clinical trials. 9. Further improve the quality of the BANTAO journal. [11]

In summary, the BANTAO congresses and the BANTAO journal have succeeded in el-evating nephrology knowledge [6] and thus in-creased the standards of nephrology patient care throughout the Balkans. Standing above the divi-sive forces of politics, language and war, BAN-TAO gives a living example that collaboration and humility are feasible in times of maddening destruction, and are transformative.

REFERENCES

1. MH. Polenakovic. First scientific meeting of Yugoslav nephrologists, Struga, Republic of Macedonia, 26–28.IX 1977 – introduction to the development of nephrology in former Yugosla-via. Prilozi / Contributions. Section of Biologi-cal and Medical Sciences. Skopje : Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Vol. XXXIII, № 1 2012: pp. [347]–356.

2. Nephrology ‘89, Proceedings of the IV. Congress of Yugoslav nephrologists, Skopje, 27–30.IX. 1989. Macedonian Medical Review. 1989; XLIII (suppl. 9): 1–519.

3. M. Polenakovic. Welcome address at the Scien-tific symposium 20 years of chronic hemodial-ysis in Macedonia “Nephrology today and to-morrow”, Skopje, 16–17.05. 1991. Macedonian Medical Review. 1993; (suppl. 12): 5–8.

4. M. Polenakovic, D. Nenov, A. Basci, Lj. Dju-kanovic, D. Tsakiris, V. Nesic, A. Schiller, G. Spasovski, H. Klinkmann, J. Vienken, D. Falken-hagen, P. Ivanovich. 20 years since the establish-ment of the BANTAO association (Balkan Cities Association of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplan-tation and Artificial Organs). Prilozi / Contri-butions. Section of Medical Sciences (MASA), XXXIV, 2013; 2: 189–214.

5. F. Valderrábano Nephrologists of the Balkan countries meet across political frontiers and war

fronts – an example to politicians! BANTAO: a new European medical association overcomes political obstacles. Balkan Cities Association of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Artifi-cial Organs. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 1996 Apr; 11(4): 7 40.

6. M. Polenakovic, F. Berthoux. BANTAO - Sec-ond Congress of the Balkan Association of Ne-phrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Artificial Organs, Struga, Republic of Macedonia, 6-8 Sep-tember 1997. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 1999 Apr; 14(4): 1026.

7. M. Polenakovic. The boundaries do not persist for mutual scientific cooperation for nephrolo-gists of the Balkan countries: Second Congress of the Balkan Cities Association of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Artificial Organs (September 6-10, 1997, Struga, R Macedonia). Nephrology, 1999. vol. 3, No. 3: 84–85.

8. N. Dimkovic , M. Arici, D. Goumenos, N. Basic Jukic, Lj. Djukanovic, M. Polenakovic and G. Spasovski. BANTAO Association - from Foun-dation to Present and Future Perspectives. BAN-TAO Journal 2015; 13(2): 51–52; doi:10.1515/bj-2015-0012.

9. ChP. Stathakis, JN. Boletis, NV. Dombros and N. Lameire. Expanding the prospects of nephrology in the Balkan Peninsula. Proceedings of the 5th Congress of the Balkan Cities Association for Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Arti-ficial Organs (BANTAO). September 30-Octo-ber 3, 2001. Thessaloniki, Greece. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2001; 16 Suppl 6: 1–158.

10. ChP. Stathakis. Expanding the prospects of ne-phrology in the Balkan Peninsula: the spirit of the Balkan Cities Association of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation, and Artificial Organs (BANTAO). Perit Dial Int. 2002 Mar-Apr; 22(2): 169–70.

11. M. Polenakovic and G. Spasovski. The 20th an-niversary of BANTAO (Balkan Cities Associa-tion of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Artificial Organs). Clin Kidney J 2014; 7: 224–226. doi: 10.1093/ckj/sft167


Резиме

ИДЕИТЕ И ДУХОТ НА ЗДРУЖЕНИЕТО НА БАЛКАНСКИТЕ ГРАДОВИ ЗА НЕФРОЛОГИЈА, ДИЈАЛИЗА, ТРАНСПЛАНТАЦИЈА И ВЕШТАЧКИ ОРГАНИ (БАНТАО) ГИ ПОВРЗУВААТ НЕФРОЛОЗИТЕ ОД БАЛКАНСКИТЕ ГРАДОВИ – ОД ОСНОВАЊЕТО ДО 15. КОНГРЕС НА БАНТАО

Момир Поленаковиќ1, Гоце Спасовски2

1 Македонска академија на науките и уметностите, Скопје, Северна Македонија2 Универзитетска клиника за нефрологија, Медицински факултет, Универзитет „Св. Кирил и Методиј“, Скопје, Северна Македонија

Здружението на балканските градови за нефрологија, дијализа, трансплантација и вештач-ки органи (БАНТАО) е основано во Охрид, Република Македонија на 9 октомври 1993 година за време на Првиот конгрес на Македонското здружение за нефрологија, дијализа, трансплантација и вештачки органи (МЗНДТВО).

Идејата на основачите беше дека таквото здружение ќе има јасно влијание врз неколку ас-пекти од практиката и истражувањето во нефрологијата и вештачките органи на Балканот: прво, преку зголемување на неговата меѓународна видливост и потенцијална соработка, и признавање од меѓународните организации. Второ, таквото здружение би ја олеснило размената на искуства и знаење меѓу експертите од нашата област. Покрај тоа, би било многу позитивен симболичен чин, кој покажува дека заедничката работа за подобрување на животот е можна и пожелна во нашата област и дека здружувањето ќе даде подобри резултати на човечко и културно ниво. Исто така, ќе испрати многу јасен сигнал до надворешниот свет дека Балканот може да биде место за соработка и заемно разбирање. Неколку меѓународни тела, како Меѓународното здружение за вештачки органи и Меѓународниот факултет за вештачки органи сигнализираа за својот ин-терес и поддршката за создавање такво здружение. И покрај бурните времиња на Балканскиот Полуостров, првиот Конгрес на БАНТАО се одржа во Варна од 22 до 24 септември 1995 година и беше импресивен настан. Ф. Валдерабано, претседател на регистарот на ЕДТА – ЕРА, објави извештај за тој настан со многу симпатии, во трудот со наслов: „Нефролозите од балканските земји се среќаваат преку политички граници и воени фронтови – пример за политичарите“. Основањето и Вториот конгрес на БАНТАО беа, исто така, добро прифатени и од колегите нефролози од Русија. Вториот конгрес се одржа 6–10 септември 1997 година во Струга, Третиот конгрес на БАНТАО се одржа 18–20 септември 1998 година во Белград, Четвртиот конгрес на БАНТАО се одржа во Измир 14–16 ноември 1999 година, Петтиот конгрес на БАНТАО се одржа во Солун од 30 септември до 3 октомври 2001 година, Шестиот конгрес се одржа во Варна, 6–9 октомври 2003 година, Седмиот конгрес на БАНТАО се одржа во Охрид, 8–11 септември 2005 година, Осмиот конгрес се одржа во Белград, 16–19 септември 2007 година, Деветтиот конгрес на БАНТАО се одржа во Анталија, 18–22 ноември 2009 година, Десеттиот конгрес на БАНТАО се одржа на Халкидики, 13–15 октомври 2011 година, 11. Конгрес се одржа од 26 до 29 септем-ври 2013 година во Темишвар, на 20-годишнината од основањето на БАНТАО, 12. Конгрес на БАНТАО се одржа 15–18 октомври 2015 година во Опатија, 13. Конгрес на БАНТАО се одржа 4–8 октомври 2017 година во Сараево, 14. Конгрес се одржа 20–23 септември 2018 година во Будва и 15. Конгрес на БАНТАО се одржа во Скопје, 26–29 септември 2019 година.

Друга пресвртница во животот на БАНТАО беше појавувањето на списанието БАНТАО во 2003 година, кое оттогаш се објавува двапати годишно. Во изминатите 17 години имаше 33 изданија на списанието и седум додатоци што известуваат за конгреси на БАНТАО. Минати и сегашни уредници на списанието се: 2003–2005 година (Димитар Ненов); 2005–2009 година (Али Башчи); 2009– (Гоце Спасовски). До денес се објавени повеќе од 400 трудови. Списанието БАНТАО е регистрирано на EBSCO, DOAJ, SCOPUS и стана силно „лепило“ меѓу нефролозите од балканските градови. Конгресите БАНТАО и списанието БАНТАО успеаја да ги зголемат знаењата за нефрологијата и со тоа да ги зголемат стандардите за пациентите од нефрологијата низ целиот Балкан. Стоејќи над силите на раздвојување на политиката, јазикот и војната, БАН-


ТАО дава жив пример за тоа дека соработката и смиреноста се остварливи во време на лудо уништување и дека може да се трансформираат.

Клучни зборови: Здружението на балканските градови за нефрологија, дијализа, транс-плантација и вештачки органи (БАНТАО), конгреси, списание БАНТАО

ideas and spirit of the balkan cities association of ...manu.edu.mk/prilozi/40_3/1.pdf · society...

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