Balkans Regional Cystic Fibrosis Conference

CFW is proud to host the first Balkans Regional Cystic Fibrosis Conference April 17-18, 2009 in Skopje, Macedonia.

Snezana Bojcin of CF Macedonia and Christine Noke, CFW Executive Director

Executive Director Christine Noke partnered with Snezana Bojcin from Cystic Fibrosis Macedonia to conduct an extensive analysis of the current state of CF care in Macedonia. Goals of the information-gathering phase included establishing the needs of the CF patients and their families, motives and expectations of CFW and the local organization, and ironing out responsibilities and the role of both CFW and the local organization. From the information gathered, they created a work plan which included lobbying the Macedonia Ministry of Health to supply treatment and necessary medication without costs to patients and families, developing an adult CF Centre in Skopje and increasing education and awareness of CF in Macedonia and surrounding countries.

CF in Macedonia
Of the two million inhabitants, about 94 patients are diagnosed with CF and there is only one hospital that currently performs sweat tests. There is one national CF center that contains 1 CF expert, 1 CF specialist, 1 nutritionist, 1 educated CF nurse, 4 nurses and 1 psyhologist. Physiotherapists and nutritionists are available to CF patients as well. Macedonia sought to collaborate with CFW to gain information on how to train medical professionals, how to improve quality of life for patients, advice on building a stronger CF association, how to lobby the government for CF funding, implanting internationally recognized standards of care.

Educational Program at work in the Balkans
Dr. Harry Heijerman, CFW Medical Advisor and head of Adult CF Center in The Hague, Netherlands was instrumental in developing the conference agenda and working with CFW Medical Advisors to tailor the program to the needs of the region. All family members will be able to attend the conference free of charge and also have access to discounted hotel rooms. CFW also hopes to provide each family who attends with a new nebulizer and pep device free of charge. We will have on hand educational printed materials and our team of specialist are ready to answer questions and discuss issues faced by families and patients in the Balkans.

There is a 50 EURO fee for all medical and allied health professionals to attend. A certificate indicating the hours in attendance and education content will be awarded to all paid participants.

We invite all persons interested in learning more about managing and treating CF to attend this upcoming conference and to take advantage of this exceptional education experience.