Distinguished Colleagues,Distinguished Guests and Dear friends,

We have a special honor and pleasure to invite you to the First Forum of General/Family Medicine Physicians of Southeast Europe in coordination with the Association of General/Family Medicine Physicians of Macedonia, in which we believe that you will take an active part. The presence of all of you will make a great contribution to making the Forum richer in scientific terms, educational and unforgettable. Let the fellowship and exchange of experiences among ourselves remain as a lasting memory of this event.

It is a great honor and pleasure for me to stand before you today at the 1st FORUM of the Association of General/Family Physicians of Southeast Europe.

Family medicine is much more than a specialty – it is the heart of the health system. The family doctor is often the first person a patient turns to in times of fear and uncertainty, but also the one who stays with them the longest. We don’t just care about diseases, we care about people – their stories, families and lives.

As the population ages, geriatrics becomes an integral part of our daily work. In the care of palliative patients, the role of the family doctor is deeply human. When treatment is no longer possible, our presence, our words, and our support become paramount.

And finally, vaccination – reality or taboo? In a world full of doubts and misinformation, the family doctor remains the voice of trust. Through honest conversation, empathy and respect, we help patients make informed decisions – for themselves and for the community.

In the free topics session, each of us has a wide range of diseases (chronic heart disease, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, mental illnesses, diseases of the skeletal system, diseases of the sensory organs, diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract, etc.) in which everyone will find their interest according to their needs and desires.

Dear colleagues,

Family medicine requires knowledge, dedication, and above all – humanity. This Forum is a reminder of the strength we have when we learn together, from each other, when we support each other, and when we believe in the value of what we do every day.

In the end, patients may forget our words and therapies, but they will never forget the feeling that someone was there for them – and that is the strength of family medicine. Let us all continue to preserve the trust, humanity and dignity of the patient – because that is the true mission of family medicine.

Let the socializing and exchanging experiences with each other, as well as the acquisition of new friendships, remain as a lasting memory of this event.

Prim. Dr. Ljubin Shukriev

President

Association of General/Family Medicine Physicians of Southeastern Europe