On September 13-14, 2023 International Conference “The Kidney and Solid Organ Transplantation Advancement Strategy: Roadmap for Transition from Living Donation to Cadaveric Transplantation” was organized in TSMU. The first joint conference of the South Caucasian countries was organized by Georgian Dialysis, Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation Union and Georgian Association of Transplantologists. The conference was dedicated to saving the patients’ lives with severe organ failure caused by chronic diseases in the region and strategy to optimize deceased donor organ donation.

The conference was opened by Tamar Gabunia, First Deputy Minister at the Ministry of IDPs from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia. Vladimer Kakhadze, the First Deputy Chair of the Health Care and Social Issues Committee was actively involved in the conference. Leading experts in the organ transplantation field from Belgium, the UK, Poland and Turkey shared their experiences. Professors Lionel Rosten and Paul Harden who contributed in foundation of transplant services in developing countries presented reports at the conference. In Georgia live kidney and liver donations are implemented but the number of compatible donors is significantly low. Therefore, cadaveric transplantation seems the most important method for saving lives of patients (including children and adults). The similar outcomes are taking place in neighboring countries, Armenia and Azerbaijan. As a consequence, three countries were united in order to start working on the vulnerable issue. Besides sharing experiences, a coordinated work on a unified strategic plan including legislative, organizational and medical issues was discussed.

Within the framework of the conference, Professor Irma Chokhonelidze, the Department of Internal Disease N2 of Tbilisi State Medical University was awarded by the International Society of Nephrology for her contribution in the development of nephrology in the region.