On 15 April, the second Renal Expert Academy - a flagship event advancing renal care across the region - was held in Skopje, North Macedonia. With a strengthened presence this year, Diaverum played a pivotal role in shaping both the strategic and scientific agendas of the event, which focused on sustainable kidney care.
Organised by the Ministry of Health of North Macedonia, the Embassy of Sweden, and Business Sweden, the event brought together healthcare professionals, policymakers, and international nephrology experts to foster cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange. It was moderated by Dr. Maja Kjulibrk Nedelkoska, a Diaverum nephrologist.
The event opened with keynote remarks from Dr. Arben Taravari, Minister of Health, North Macedonia, and featured high-level speakers such as H.E. Ami Larsson Jain (Ambassador of Sweden), Dr. Rita Columbia (UN Resident Coordinator), and Dr. Sasho Klekovski, Director of the Health Insurance Fund. It also included contributions from renowned Swedish nephrologists.
Offering a global perspective, Dr. Carlos Lucas, Diaverum’s Corporate Medical Office Vice President, delivered a compelling presentation on vascular access best practices drawn from Diaverum’s operations in 24 countries. Dr. Lucas emphasised the critical need for harmonised standards in vascular access care - a fundamental component of safe and effective hemodialysis - and highlighted actionable strategies for local implementation.
Speaking about the local landscape, Dr. Nadica Misovska, Country Medical Director of Diaverum North Macedonia, co-presented findings from the Renal Care Screening Pilot - a milestone initiative launched after the first Renal Academy. Joined by Dr. Vasiliki Krecova of NephroPlus North Macedonia, Dr. Misovska shared encouraging progress in early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) detection and emphasised the need for integrated care pathways.
In the afternoon, breakout sessions around sustainable renal care & innovation, and a high-level panel, addressed national CKD strategies, quality registry integration, enhanced dialysis care models and treatment. The panel included Dr. Carlos Lucas and other international & local experts to explore actionable paths for improving care quality and accessibility.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Maja Zoric, Trade & Investment Commissioner at Business Sweden, highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships between governments, healthcare providers, and industry leaders like Diaverum in improving North Macedonia’s renal care system.
Commenting on the event, Dr. Lucas said: “This year’s Renal Academy not only reinforced the medical community’s commitment to sustainable and innovative kidney care but also underscored the power of global collaboration in advancing medical standards and improving patient outcomes. We were honoured to play a central role in it.
“I was also delighted to present how Diaverum’s sustainable medical governance framework ensures world-class, preventive, and personalised care. By integrating digital health solutions, we are strengthening care standards and delivering meaningful results”.
