on Ecology MEDICA - mu-pleven.bgmu-pleven.bg/forms/newspaper/EN - Br.2,2017.pdf · FOURTH BIOETHICS DAYAT PLEVEN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY Pleven Medical University once again hosted the

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MEDICAMEDICAVol (March April 7.2, - ) 201 1.00 lv.

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PROF. DR. SLAVCHO TOMOVWAS RE-ELECTED RECTOR

OF THE PLEVEN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

The Pleven Medical University

General Assembly of 16 March

2017 re-elected Prof. Dr. Slavcho

Tomov Rector of the University

with a majority of 154 delegates

“SAINT ELISAVETA”MEDICAL CENTER– PLEVEN

MARKS 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARYWITH A SCIENTIFIC FORUM

AND A CONCERT

PLEVEN MEDICAL UNIVERSITYHOSTED

THE FIFTHNATIONAL

CONFERENCEON HEALTHCARE

FOR STUDENTS,WITH

INTERNATIONALPARTICIPATION

MU-PLEVENACHIEVEMENTSAT FIRST NATIONALSTUDENT FESTIVALOF MEDICALUNIVERSITIES

PLEVEN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

HOSTED DAY OF BIOETHICS

FOR THE FOURTH TIME

KNEE JOINT ARTHROSCOPICSURGERY COURSE HELDFOR A THIRD CONSECUTIVEYEAR AT MU-PLEVEN

A special event was the presentation of the new textbook

“Operative, general and special surgery. Surgical care”

written up by a team from the Department of Surgical

Nursing, headed by Prof. d-r Tashko Deliyski

р. 2

122 FACULTY OF PUBLIC HEALTH

BACHELORS AND

MASTERS

GRADUATED

ON WORLD

HEALTH DAY

р. 32

р. 3

р. 4

р. 5

р. 4

р. 6

vol. 2/2017Academia

MEDICA

General Assembly

at MU-Pleven

PROF. DR. SLAVCHO TOMOV WAS RE-ELECTED RECTOROF THE PLEVEN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

The Pleven Medical University General Assembly of 16 March 2017 re-elected Prof. Dr. Slavcho Tomov Rector of the University with a majority of154 votes.

During his second term (2017-2021) Prof. Tomov intends to continue hispolicy of establishing and developing the University's innovative image andas a hub for scientific infrastructure and research through the adoption ofhigh-tech modern concepts to advance medicine, human health and qualityof life.

The “We Succeed Together” campaign, which aims to attract smart andmotivated candidate-students, will remain a priority with regards toeducation. MU-Pleven strives to establish itself as an educational and healthcenter in both Bulgaria and Europe, attracting more and more Bulgarian andforeign students, doctoral students and specialists. Effective, dynamic andadaptive management and improvement/development are the foundationson which the institute for higher learning will become a hub for innovationfor graduate, post-graduate and further studies.

122 BACHELORS AND MASTERS FROM THE FACULTYOF PUBLIC HEALTH GRADUATED ON WORLD HEALTH DAY

An official ceremony was held on 7 April (International Day of the HealthWorker) to celebrate the graduation of Bachelor and Master students of theFaculty of Public Health. The event was held in the “Magnum” hall of the “Prof.Dr. M. Ganchev” second clinic of the Medical University. Among the 122graduates were 21 Masters in Public Health and Health Management, 35Masters and 31 Bachelors in Healthcare Management, 19 Bachelors in MedicalRehabilitation and Ergotherapy and 16 Bachelors in Protection and Control ofPublic Health.

Prof. Dr. Silviya Yankulovska, Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, openedthe ceremony and introduced Rector, Prof. Dr. Slavcho Tomov, and vice deanof the Faculty, Prof. Dr. Tsetsa Doychinova. The ceremony was also attendedby Prof. Dr. Margarita Aleksandrova, vice rector for education, Prof. Dr.Zdravka Radionova, vice rector for quality and accreditation, Prof. Dr.Savelina Popovska, vice rector for European integration and internationalcooperation, and the director of the Medical College, assoc. prof. Dr. EvgeniyaBarzashka. Among the guests were Mario Todorov, Pleven regional governor,Martin Mitev, director of NHIF, Dr. Ivan Yordanov, director of the food safetyregional directorate, and others.

Dr. Els Maeckelberghe, Doctor in Theology and senior lecturer of Ethics inMedicine at the University Medical Center at the University of Groningen, TheNetherlands, was a special guest at the ceremony.

Prof. Dr. Slavcho Tomov welcomed graduates and guests. In his speech hewished all health professionals a strong spirit and optimism. “You havededicated yourself to a mission and I am certain that you will make thenecessary effort to become proper professionals. Always remember that theauthority of this University and the knowledge and experience of yourlecturers will support your decisions and actions as a professional,” said theRector.

“Today's celebration coincides with World Health Day – the day when theconstitution of the World Health Organization was signed. Since its creation in1948, the WHO has steadily guided health cooperation worldwide and hasaided in healing important threats to health globally,” said Prof. Dr. SilviyaYankulovska, dean of the Faculty of Public Health, in her keynote speech. She

pointed out key moments in theUniversity's history, significant part ofwhich if the faculty of Public Health –with a current roster of 1854 graduates(1135 Bachelors and 719 Masters). Thisyear among the 122 graduates were 62with a grade higher than 5.00 and 36with a grade higher than 5.50.

The event continued with thegraduates taking the Oath, which hasbecome a tradition, before taking onthe path of professionals. The Oath wasrecited by their promoter, assoc. prof.Georgi Tsanev who has contributedgreatly to the realization of the distancelearning program at the Faculty ofPublic Health.

Nadya Dimitrova, chair of theRegional Body of the Bulgarian

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MEDICAAnniversary

Association of Health workers, Ivayla Petkova, head nurse at the University hospital, Mario Todorov, regional governor,assoc. prof. Emanuela Mutafova, dean of the Faculty of Public Health at MU-Varna, and Prof. Rumen Stefanov, dean of theFaculty of Public Health at MU-Plovdiv, also congratulated the graduates.

One of the keynote speakers was Dr. Els Maeckelberghe, she congratulated the graduates, “As a lecturer, I know that thereis no greater pleasure than seeing your students become professionals ready to change the world. It is up to you now to decidehow to perfect yourselves. If you choose to continue on the path of Public Health, I hope you will find reliable partners andbecome reliable professionals. I hope each of you finds the perfect environment to achieve your best. Make sure your career isone which will allow you to improve and excel.”

Students Milena Aleksandrova and Polya Lambeva delivered a speech in gratitude on behalf of the graduates.All students graduating with a grade above 5.50 received honorary diplomas. The event also included a short concert by

medical students from India, awardees of the International Student day at MU-Pleven and students from the “Protection andControl of Public Health” degree course.

cont. from p.2

“SAINT ELISAVETA” MEDICAL CENTER-PLEVEN MARKS ITS 10-YEARANNIVERSARY WITH THE “REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE OF 2017 –

CONTRADICTIONS AND CONSENSUS” FORUM“Clinical Institute for Reproductive

Medicine”-Pleven Medical Centerhosted the seventh consecutiveReproductive Medicine Day during thetraditional Immunological Days inPleven. They run from 28 to 30 Aprilth th

and, this time, coincided with the 10th

anniversary since the founding of theCenter.

The seventh working meeting wasunder the motto “ReproductiveMedicine of 2017 – contradictions andconsensus” was hosted by Prof. Dr.Slavcho Tomov, Rector of the MedicalUniversity of Pleven, and the BulgarianImmunology Clinical Association,chaired by Prof. Dr. ElisavetaNaumova, D. Sc. M. Chair of theOrganization Committee was assoc.prof. Dr. Emiliyana Konova, director ofCIRM MC.

“The goal of this event is to discussmodern achievements and issues in thefundamental and practical aspects ofreproductive failure, encompassingvarious fields of reproductive medicine– midwifery and gynecology,r e p r o d u c t i v e i m m u n o l o g y ,

reproductive endocrinology, medicalgenetics, andrology, neonatology,reproductive psychology. We haveengaged specialists in reproductiveissues during the forum. Our centerwill also present its achievements inthe different fields. Prof. CarolineCullen – world-renowned midwifeand gynecologist with many years ofexperience in reproductive medicine –will be among the guests,” assoc. prof.Konova told journalists in February.

The official opening ceremony ofthe Days of Reproductive Medicine inPleven, attended by Prof. Dr. SlavchoTomov, Mayor Georg Spartanski,assoc. prof. Tsvetan Lukanov, was on28 April at the Rostov hotel. “Pleven isan immunology hub for the seventhyear in a row and we are glad that ourcity has achieved such a high academicstanding and attracts world-renownedexperts,” said Prof. Tomov. “I wouldlike to thank assoc. prof. Konova andher team for their professionalism andthe hope and great happiness they

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MEDICAConference

have given to thousands of families. The PlevenMunicipality sees it as a duty and responsibility to providefinancial aid to people with reproductive issues, and partnerin this with “Saint Elisaveta”, said Mayor Georg Spartanskiin his welcoming speech. Assoc. prof. Emiliyana Konovawas awarded the honorary plaque of Pleven acknowledgingthe success of the Medical Center spanning over ten years.

200 reproductive medicine experts from the entirecountry attended the forum. It was divided into 10 scientificsessions: midwifery and gynecology, endocrinology,andrology, immunology, genetics, embryology,microbiology and virology, reproductive psychology andneonatology and medical law. During the forum there were22 lectures and 20 reports by 40 speakers. There were alsoround tables about current practical problems in the field.

A medical law session to discuss various legal issueswith leading lawyers was held for the first time. During the“We ask, Lawyers answer” session, moderated by Prof. Dr.Darina Zinovieva, “Ciela” publishing house announced the

release of her textbook on Medical law. “It will be veryuseful, especially to Pleven medical specialists as it includesthe entirety of legislation relating to healthcare,” said assoc.prof. Konova.

The tenth anniversary of founding the “Saint Elisaveta”Medical Center-Pleven was also celebrated during theforum. The celebrations included a concert on 29 Aprilth

(World Immunology Day) at the Ivan Radoev Drama andPuppet Theater. The Center presented 10 awards for thecontribution in its mission.

When asked “What did 10 years with the Center mean forYou personally and professionally? How do You feel 10years later?” assoc. prof. Konova said “Success goes wherethere is respect where there is love and compassion. That'swhat is important. Success comes only after that. If there isno bond between doctor and patient, if we showunderstanding and there is no mutual trust, we cannotsucceed. And if you have the right team, miracles are nolonger impossible.”

cont. from p.3

FIFTH NATIONAL HEALTHCARE STUDENT CONFERENCE WITH

FOREIGN PARTICIPANTS AT MU-PLEVEN

The Faculty of Healthcare and the academic governingbody of MU-Pleven hosted the Fifth national healthcarestudent conference with foreign participants on 23 and 24March. In his welcoming speech Rector Prof. Dr. SlavchoTomov noted that the forum has had great contribution tothe research done at the University and that it is part of the

University's image. Prof. Meyer from Vienna was a guest ofhonor. The Conference once again garnered a lot of interest –there were more than 160 active participants. Theirpresentations were divided into three general topics –“Nurse care”, “Midwifery” and “Various”. Local andforeign scientists presented more than 90 reports, postersand lectures, which were accompanied by lively discussions.

Assoc. prof. Evgeniya Dimitrova was awarded anhonorary plaque for her contribution to the development ofthe Faculty of Healthcare and the Medical University.

A special event during the conference was the grandpresentation of the newly published textbook “Operative,general and special surgery” for use by healthcare studentsand specialists. It is product of four years of work by theDepartment of Surgical Nursing at the Faculty of Health careat MU-Pleven, a team led by Prof. Dr. Tashko Deliyskii. Theauthors consider the textbook to be written up in just theright time. It reflects the latest and modern approaches inhealth care subjects which are urgent both at home and inEurope – oncology, operation technique, wounds andsurgical infections, high-tech and others.

FOURTH BIOETHICS DAY ATPLEVEN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

Pleven Medical University once again hosted the Bioethics Day conference, an eventnot held anywhere else in the country. Its first session was organized by Prof. Dr. SilviyaYankulovska, D.M.Sc., Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, in 2014. The tightly scheduledprogram of the session allowed for many bioethics specialists, students, doctoral students,experts, members of academia and the public to attend lectures and presentations byacclaimed foreign experts and Bulgarian participants. Previous guest-speakers have beenProf. Henk ten Have (Doctor Honoris Causa of MU-Pleven), Prof. Luciana Caenazzo andProf. Renzo Pegoraro.

Assoc. prof. Dr. Zdravka Radionova, MD, Vice rector for Quality and Accreditation, began the form by presenting guest-speakerDr. Els Maeckelberghe a diploma and a plaque on behalf of MU-Pleven's governing body.

cont. on p.5

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MEDICAStudent Festival

Dr. Els Maeckelberghe has a doctoraldegree in Theology and is a seniorlecturer of Ethics at the Medical Center atthe University of Groningen. She's afounder, former long-standing chair andcurrent vice chair of the Public HealthEthics sect ion at the EuropeanAssociation of Public Health; chair of thework group for Ethics and values inPublic Health schools at the Public HealthSchools Association of the Europeanregion; an active member in severalboards and committees among which arehealth organizations for disabled people,a regional euthanasia ethics commission.

The fourth Bioethics Day broke awayfrom its format thus far by holding aninteractive learning session on sciencework integrity using the “IntegrityFactor” educational film in the beforenoon part of the conference. The filmpresents the story of a doctoral studentfacing various ethical dilemmas,whenever one was identified, theaudience could discuss ways of behavior

and pick the direction of the story.Alongside the film Dr. Maeckelbergheintroduced the basic elements ofscientific integrity, focusing on theformation of scientific teams, authorcollectives and publication ethics. Theround table discussion of euthanasia inthe early afternoon garnered muchinterest with other participant presentingreports on the topic – assist. prof. Anov(“Euthanasia of children”) and assoc.prof. Dr. Nikolay Yordanov COC-Vratsa(“Terminal sedation”).

The event slogan “Ethics in practice”provided for discussion in various fields.Foreign students participated withreports about ethics issues in generalpract ice , surgery, genet ics , thepharmaceutical industry's influence andhospital policies. The best reportaward was given to sixth-yearstudent Syed Mohsin Hussain forhis report “Distinct EthicalChallenges Surrounding Surgery:Surgical Innovation, Surgical

Teaching and the role of a Surgeon in theBalance of Patient Care”. He said hewanted to publish it as an article with theguidance of Prof. Yankulovska.

The Bioethics Day tradition of theMedical University of Pleven willexpand to include the World Ethics Dayon 19 October for the second time.Scientists from BAS will participate for

the first timef o l l o w i n gthe Agree-m e n t f o rjoint scienti-fic researchbetween theInstitute forthe study ofsociety andknowledgeat BAS andthe MedicalUnivers i tyof Pleven.

cont. from p.4

FIRST NATIONAL MEDICAL STUDENTFESTIVAL WAS IN PLOVDIV

The first national student festival of the medical universities ofBulgaria was held on 24 March. The festival was organized andhosted by the Medical University of Plovdiv by the idea of Prof. Dr.Viktoria Sarafyan. She considers the forum a place for studentcreativity and international spirit. The grand forum gave a stage tothe artistic and scientific creativity of students embodying thenotion that art and medicine share a mission – save people and theirlives but also give meaning to their spiritual strife.

Among the official guests at the opening ceremony in “Magnaceremonial hall” at the Faculty of Dental Medicine were AmeliyaGesheva, Savina Petkova, Dr. Mariyana Cholakova, Prof. MilchoVasilev, as well as representatives of all Bulgarian medicaluniversities.

Prof. Kostyanev, Rector of MU-Plovdiv, welcomed participantsand noted that it is only natural that Plovdiv hosts the first nationalstudent festival of the medical universities of Bulgaria since it isgoing to be the European culture capital of 2019. In his speech healso told participants, “Life is madness, but admiring it onlythrough virtual space is greater madness still. Sport and art are asolution to this problem. They are detox. Medicine is art and art canbe a medicine.”

130 students from MU-Sofia, MU-Plovdiv, MU-Varna, MU-Pleven and the Faculty of Medicine at the Trakia University of StaraZagora participated in the event. MU-Pleven students presentedthe University befittingly. The vivid dance of the India and Nepalstudents and the fast and lively national dance of the Bulgarianstudents got a standing ovation. Quite an emotional songperformance by Gena Stoykova, medicine student, and a

memorable and modernizedinterpretation of a folksong byRenay Nejmi and KristiyanIvanov, Public health and healthmanagement students, were alsopart of the festival.

The festival is expected to beheld annually on a rotationprinciple with the MedicalUniversity of Varna hosting it in2018.

vol 7. 2/201Academia

MEDICAScientific Forums

KNEE JOINT ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY COURSE WITH BULGARIANAND FOREIGN SPECIALISTS HELD FOR A THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR AT MU-PLEVEN

For the third annual year, a knee joint surgery course was held at the EndoscopyCenter at the Medical University of Pleven on 10 and 11 March. The forum isorganized by the Bulgarian Association for Arthroscopy and Sport Traumatologyunder the auspices of European Society for Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery andArthroscopy (ESSKA). The course was intended to recreate working conditionsclosest to an actual operation. It is part of the educational calendar of ESSKA andstrengthens the collaboration between Bulgarian and foreign experts. The topic ofthis year's event was arthroscopic surgery of the knee joint, pathology oftenaffecting young active people and professionalathletes.

Among the special guests were Dr. NikicaDrabos from Zagreb, Croatia and Dr. BogdanAmbrozic from Valdoltra, Slovenia. 20 youngsurgeons had the opportunity to learn fromestablished surgeons. They could get hands-onexperience with modern endoscopy tools in thehigh-tech environment provided by TELEC ofMU-Pleven. Foreign visitors and theirBulgarian colleagues gladly shared knowledgeand experience during the event, which is expected to expand and become long-running.

FOURTH CONTEMPORARY CLASS ON MIDWIFERY AND GYNECOLOGYFOR STUDENTS, POST-GRADUATES AND YOUNGDOCTORS WAS HELD IN MU-PLEVEN

The fourth youth forum onmidwifery and gynecology was held on22 and 23 April at the Telecommuni-cation endoscopy center of MU-Pleven.It is organized by the Medical StudentAssociation in Bulgaria – Plevenbranch, the Student council of MU-Pleven and Rector, Prof. Dr. SlavchoTomov. 76 students and post-graduatesparticipated in the event.

The forum was opened in 10 o'clockon 22 April at “Ambroise Paré” hall ofTELEC by 2 plenary lectures by Prof.

Dr. Slavcho Tomov and Prof. Dr. GrigorGorchev, Member of Correspondence at BAS.

The forum was focused on two types oftopics this year – theoretical and practical.Leading specialists delivered lectures onc o n t e m p o r a r y s u b j e c t s r e l a t i n g t oprophylactics, diagnostics and treatment offemale reproductive system and mammary gland disease, pregnancy andconcomitant complications and others. Participants could also discuss fetalsurgery. An agreement was reached that a multidisciplinary approach would beneeded to handle issues in midwifery and gynecology practice. Practical sessionsincluded 4 “workshops” which were intended to create base skills on the subject.

MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF PLEVEN WAS PART OF THE THIRD ANNUALCONFERENCE OF THE BALKAN UNIVERSITIES ASSOCIATION

“St. Kliment Ohridski” University of Sofia hosted the thirdannual conference of the Balkan Universities Association on 24 and25 March. The organization was established in 2008 with 59university participants from all countries on the Balkan Peninsulato date. University of Sofia Rector, Prof. Ivan Ilchev chaired theAssociation for a year in 2016.

This is the first time the event is held in Bulgaria. Participantswere Rectors and vice rectors from Thrace University of Odrin, theUniversity of Tetovo, the Aleksandër Moisiu University of Durrës,the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the University ofBucharest, the Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, theInternational Balkan University, Istanbul Sabahattin ZaimUniversity, the Technical University of Istanbul, Namik KemalUniversity, Ovidius University of Constanta, the Sport Universityof Tirana, the University of Argyrokastro, the Kadri ZekaUniversity, the University of Ioannina, the University of

Montenegro, "Aleksander Xhuvani" Univerity of Elbasan, FehmiAgani University, the University of Pristina and St. Clement ofOhrid University of Bitola.

The Bulgarian representatives were Technical University ofSofia, the Academy for Music, Dance and Fine Arts – Plovdiv, theAgricultural University of Plovdiv, the European polytechnicuniversity, Constantine of Preslav University of Shumen, theMedical University of Pleven, the National Sports Academy,South-West University "Neofit Rilski", "Angel Kanchev"University of Ruse and the St. Cyril and St. Methodius University ofVeliko Tarnovo.

The official opening ceremony was on 24 March at 13 o'clock inthe Conference hall of the University main building. Many jointinitiatives of the Association within EU funding and others,changes in the regulatory base were discussed. An ExecutiveCommittee and Chair were elected for the 2017-2018 period.

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MEDICAOpen Days

OPEN DAYSFOR THE WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY AT CLINIC OF PULMONARY DISEASES

OF THE “DR. GEORGI STRANSKI” UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

The World Health Organizationcalls for government and publicattention to uniting efforts in finding away to eliminate the tuberculosisepidemic every year on WorldTuberculosis Day – 24 March. It is oneof the top ten terminal diseases. In 2015alone 10.4m people have contracted thedisease and 1.8m have died due to it.More than 3m people never even gotmedical treatment, most of them live inthe poorest parts of the world –

communities that are the mostsusceptible to tuberculosis. Ending thetuberculosis epidemic by 2030 isamong the health targets of theSustainable Development Goals.

Open Days are an annual eventwith proven efficacy for raising publicawareness about the disease andproviding free access to medical care.Statistics show that they have made iteasier to discover and diagnosetuberculosis and latent tuberculosis in

patients – during the 2009-2016 period,90 117 people were interviewed and1002 were diagnosed with and treatedfor tuberculosis. 3 in 461 werediagnosed with latent tuberculosis andtreated with chemoprophylaxis.

This year's Open Days for theWorld Tuberculosis Day were undert h e m o t t o “ U n i t e d a g a i n s ttuberculosis”. Free examinations wereheld during 20-24 March 2017 inmedical diagnosis and treatment

FREE FUNGAL DISEASE EXAMINATIONS AT THE DERMATOLOGY CLINICOF THE “DR. GEORGI STRANSKI” UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

The Dermatology and Venereology Clinic of the “Dr. Georgi Stranski” University Hospital in Pleven conducted freeexaminations for fungal disease on nails on 3 and 4 April. The campaign was intended to raise awareness of the widespreadmycotic diseases – every fifth person suffers from mycotic nail disease.

FREE OPHTHALMOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS ATTHE OPHTHALMOLOGY CLINIC OF THE “DR. GEORGI STRANSKI”

UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL DURING WORLD GLAUCOMA WEEK

World Glaucoma Week (13-17March) began with an Information Dayat the Ophthalmology Clinic of the “Dr.Georgi Stranski” University Hospital.The event is sponsored by the WorldGlaucoma Association. The disease isconsidered socially significant as it is sowidespread and cases irreversible lossof sight. The clinic team of theOphthalmology Clinic of the “Dr.Georgi Stranski” University Hospitaland Prof. Dr. Chavdar Balabanov helda press conference on 10 March.Organizers hope that the campaign willraise public awareness of the disease.

Assoc. prof. Snezhana Murgovasaid that there are 90 million peoplewho suffer from glaucoma worldwideand every year they increase by 2.4m. Itis expected that because of the aging

population, the numbers will increaseby 30% by 2020. Each year advancedcases of glaucoma in need of treatmentare between 150 and 200.

Assoc. prof. Murgova noted thatglaucoma is a “slow, silent andprogressive disease also referred to asThe Silent Thief of Sight. Because thedamage it causes is irreversible,prophylaxis and screening are veryimportant as when the first symptoms

manifest, it's already too late.Considering that one of the mainfactors for the disease is genetic, thisyear we turn our sights to the closerelatives.”

Prof. Chavdar Balabanov said thatglaucoma becomes manifest after thepatient has turned 40 – statistics showthat 1.5-3% of people over 40 sufferfrom the disease. He noted that peopleof that age should check their ocularpressure whenever they visit anophthalmologist. Glaucoma cannot becured it can only be prevented so thesooner it is discovered, the better.Because of this, the OphthalmologyClinic organized free examinationsand ocular pressure screening on 17March.

PLEVEN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY CONCLUDED AN AGREEMENT

FOR STUDENT AND LECTURER EXCHANGE WITH A UNIVERSITY IN FRANCE

Pleven Medical University and the Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University concluded a bilateral agreement for studentand lecturer exchange through the Erasmus+ program for the period 2017/18-2020/21 academic years. Thelanguage required for the mobility is French.

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MEDICARound Table

ROUND TABLE ON THE PROBLEMS OF IMMUNO-PROPHYLAXIS IN PLEVEN

There was a round table on the problems of immuno-prophylaxis on 19 April in Pleven, organized by the MSFT(Media, Society, Family, Tradition) foundation. The eventwas held in the eve of the European Immunization Week (24to 30 April) under the motto “Vaccines work”. It aimed toraise proper awareness about vaccination. “Pleven is thefirst of five cities where we organize a discussion aboutchildren's health,” said Yuliya Piskuliyska, chair of MSFT.The event was attended by MP Dr. Nigyar Jaffer, actressTatyana Lolova and Mayor Georg Spartanski. Assoc. prof.Dr. Viktoria Atanasova, head of the neonatal ward of the“Dr. Georgi Stranski” University Hospital, and Dr.Nadezhda Vladimirova, National Center of Infectious andParasitic Diseases – Sofia, delivered reports.

“Immuno-prophylaxis is one of thefundamental medical discoveries, it savesmillions of human lives. The rise ofantivaccination movements subjects the livesand health of non-vaccinated children,” saidMP Dr. Nigyar Jaffer. She reminded statisticsthat before the smallpox was eradicatedthrough vaccination, 5 million people died of

it every year. According to Dr. Jaffer, cervical cancer can alsobe eradicated through vaccination.

Assoc. prof. Dr. Viktoria Atanasova, a neonatologist with28 years of medical experience, was definite in her statementthat natural birth and breastfeeding until the 5-6 monthshould be strongly encouraged. Just in April, she noted, fourinfants were admitted to the neonatal ward in Pleven afterbirth in an unsterile environment at home, which could bedangerous for the newborn.

Actress Tatyana Lolova and Mayor Georg Spartanskishared their position on the matter as well. Widespreadawareness about health is important, he said, it's better toinvest in prophylaxis than in medication.

NEAA EXPERT GROUP AT MU-PLEVENA NEAA expert group from Sofia visited MU-Pleven on07.03.2017 for the accreditation of the “doctor” EQD of“Infectious diseases” and “Pulmonary diseases,pneumology and phthisiatry”. The expert group met with

the University Governing body, doctoral students, theacademic staff, the SRA Center, the Clinic for Infectiousdiseases at the First clinic, the Pulmonary disease clinic andstaff of the University library.

FIRST LAPAROSCOPIC REMOVAL OF A TUMOR OF THE ADRENALGLAND AT THE ONCOLOGICAL SURGERY CLINICOF THE “DR. GEORGI STRANSKI” UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

A team consisting of Prof. Dr. Tashko Deliyski, assoc. prof.Dobromir Dimitrov, Dr. Ivelina Petrova and Dr. Tsvetomir Ivanovof the Oncological surgery clinic of the “Dr. Georgi Stranski”University Hospital laparoscopically removed a 5,5cm tumor fromthe left adrenal gland for the first time. The patient underwent thesurgery in good condition with less than 10ml blood loss and wasroused four hours after the intervention.

The surgery was first simulated with the aid of the SECTRAvirtual dissection table, purchased by the MU-Pleven the previousyear. This type of laparoscopic interventions has become thegolden standard in the Westin the past 10 years. Few clinics usethis method in Bulgaria. The Oncological surgery clinic of the “Dr. Georgi Stranski” University Hospital has been successfullyconducting such surgeries to remove gallbladder stones, herniation of the anterior abdominal wall, colon tumors and others.

MSBA ONCE AGAIN HOSTED THE “THANK YOU, DOCTOR!” CAMPAIGN

The Medicine Students of Bulgaria Association – Pleven once again hosted the “Thank you, Doctor!” campaign on WorldHealth Worker Day – 7 April. The goal of the campaign is to provide the public a chance to express their gratitude andappreciation to doctors for their care. Stations to post thank-you letters were positioned from 2pm to 6pm at the PlevenCentral Mall on 3 and 4 April and from 10am to 4pm at “Dr. Georgi Stranski” University Hospital. The students later deliveredthem to their addressees.

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MEDICAUniversity Hospital

FIRST IN BULGARIA SURGERY TO REPLACE A NEW-GENERATION

ARTIFICIAL KNEE JOINT BY PLEVEN ORTHOPEDISTS

A team from the Orthopedics clinic of the “Dr. GeorgiStranski” University Hospital was the first team in Bulgariato replace a new-generation artificial knee joint whileretaining the tibiofemoral joint. The patient was a 70-year-old Blagoevgrad man with weight exceeding 100kg whichhad led to severe deformation of the knee joints. Theinnovative procedure was performed by Dr. ManchoKovachev and Dr. Hristo Gigov under the supervision of Dr.Gunther Tibor. The intervention allows for replacing thejoint through a small incision which drastically decreases

blood loss and trauma to soft tissue, while also retaining thetibiofemoral joint which, in turn, provides for quickerrecovery.

The intervention was also an educational course hostedby Prof. Slavcho Tomov. It was live broadcast with the aidof “Ambroise Paré” hall of TELEC of MU-Pleven. Leadingorthopedists and postgraduate students attended thesurgery. “This type of surgery for prosthesis with aninnovative Hungarian artificial knee joint allows for theretention of the natural moving mechanism and quicker

patient recovery,” said assoc. prof. ViharKovachev, head of the Orthopedics clinic of the“Dr. Georgi Stranski” University Hospital. “It isa highly specialized surgical intervention that isvery easy on the patient,” added prof. VladimirStavrev, manager of the Orthopedics clinic inPlovdiv. Another great advantage of this newjoint is the price which is much more bearablefor the elderly who often have issues with kneejoints. “It amounts to 4200lv, 2700lv of which arepaid by NHIF,” added prof. Stavrev.

SCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN NURSE TRAINING ABOUTCARETAKING OF CHILDREN WITH DIABETES

In March 100 nurses working inPleven schools and kindergartensunderwent training about problems incontrolling and caretaking of childrenwith diabetes. It was organized byVasilka Ruseva, vice chair of BAHCP(Bulgarian Association of Health CareProfessionals). The first such trainingin Pleven, under the motto “Nursingchildren with diabetes in schools andkindergartens”, garnered hugeinterest. It focused on prophylaxis forthe disease and more communicationwith healthy children. They need to be

explained how to eat healthy and theimportance of physical activity as wellas other diabetes-preventing topics.Margarita Ivanova, lecturer at the

Faculty of Health Care at MedicalUniversity – Pleven, was a speaker atthe event.

Vice chair of BAHCP, VasilkaRuseva, used the opportunity toexpress gratitude to the Mayor ofPleven for providing the “GenaDimitrova” hall for periodical schooland kindergarten nurse training free ofcharge.

The next training is scheduled to beabout the increasing cases of allergicreactions in children.

AWARD-WINNING RANKINGS OF MEDICAL UNIVERSITY – PLEVENIN SPORTS UNIVERSIADE

The MU-Pleven governing body aidednotable student sportsmen to show theirpotential in university sports meetings.The 2017 Universiade was held between28.04. and 03.05. in Ravda village. There

were about 60 participants, 18 of which were MU-Pleven students. Theyranked high with great competition. In chess (Veronika Vasileva) and tabletennis (Venetsiya Valcheva) for women our competitors decisively took thegold. In the 3x3 basketball tournament, both for men and women, ourstudents stood out with high accuracy and team coordination, which securedtheir first place.Gold medal winners: Toni Georgieva, Denitsa Radeva, Nikol Kancheva,Stanislava Vasilkova, Tsvetan Todorov, Tomas Tomson, Jose Costa, MartinMilanov, Arwin Jamali.Our beach volleyball team earned silver medals – Ivan Petkov, Georgi

cont. on p.10

vol 7. 2/201Academia

MEDICAErasmus+

Atanasov, Mario Vasilev, Aleksandar Latev, Kenan Bayrami.Karmen Kortesogo, Kristina Soler and Rumena Dimitrova alsowon silver in volleyball. Boyan Gergov, Emil Popov, BoyanPenev and Martin Milanov earned bronze.The student sportsmen are ambitious and aim to achieve morein future editions of the event.The teams were organized and managed by assoc. prof. IskraIlieva, assoc. prof. Iliyan Ilchev, Kolyan Monov, Petar Popovand Hristo Genov; basketball team selection and coach –Krasimir Petkov.

cont. from p.9

“ERASMUS+”PROGRAM SEMINAR

IN MU-PLEVENT h e E u r o p e a n

I n t e g r a t i o n a n dI n t e r n a t i o n a lC o o p e r a t i o nDepartment at MU-P l e v e n w i t h t h ecooperation of theH u m a n R e s o u r c e s

Development Center in Sofia held an information seminaron 20.04.2017. The goal was to acquaint students andlecturers about mobility opportunities of 2017/2018. TheErasmus+ program marks its 30 anniversary this year. 3.3th

million of the 5 million participants in the program arestudents.

Stoyan Kyulev, head of the Support for EducationPolicies and Information Activities at the Human ResourcesDevelopment Center, and Daniela Dimitrova, executivedirector of the “Europe Direct”-Pleven Europeaninformation center, were honorary guests at the event.

The FRESH Project, 2016-2018, was also presented. It isfunded by the European Commission on the Horizon 2020Program – Marie Skłodowska Curie. The second phase of theProject, partnered by MU-Pleven, is scheduled for this year.

A digital data processing system was set up for the firsttime to evaluate the results from a poll among the attendees.

The resultspresented ane x c e l l e n tevaluat iono f t h epresentationa n dg a t h e r e dknowledge.

28 FEBRUARY –OPEN DAY FOR CANDIDATE-

STUDENTSAT MEDICAL UNIVERSITY – PLEVEN

Medical University – Pleven held the traditional Open Dayfor candidate-students on 28 February, Tuesday, 2017 at1:30pm. The University opened doors to candidate-students, their teachers and parents as part of its admissionscampaign. Students and lecturers welcomed them at theEndoscopy Telecommunication Center at MU-Pleven.The Day was officially opened with a video about theUniversity. Vice rector for education, Prof. M.Aleksandrova, and the chair of the Student councilwelcomed them. All candidate-students wishing to studymedicine, pharmacy or any other degree course at MU-Pleven had a chance to acquaint themselves with theUniversity structure, lecturers and students, admissionexamination schedules and ask the evaluation committeeany questions they might have. Assoc. prof. DobromirDimitrov, vice dean of the Faculty of Medicine, presented aninteresting demonstration of the use of the high-tech 3Dmedical table for virtual dissection.

SIXTH EMPLOYER'S MARKET

AT THE MEDICAL COLLEGE

OF MU-PLEVENThe traditional employer's market was hosted by the

Medical College – Pleven on 28 April. The round table wasunder the motto: “Let's provide jobs for every graduate andimprove the quality of education to eliminate competition.”There were 109 employer participants from many hospitalsand clinics nationwide.

The round table was intended as a discussion ofcurricula, practical training and to receive feedback fromemployers about the quality of education at the MedicalCollege – Pleven. The event was hosted by assoc. prof. Dr.Evgeniya Hristova-Barzashka, MD, director of the College.It provided a medium for discussion between institutionrepresentatives and students.

бр. 2/2017Academia

MEDICAAdmission Campaign

PRELIMINARY EXAMS FOR THE TWO MASTER IN MEDICINEAND PHARMACY DEGREE COURSES AND THE NINEBACHELOR DEGREE COURSES IN APRIL

Once again this year, Medical University – Pleven held two exam sessions –preliminary and regular admission exams.

Two preliminary exams (in Biology and Chemistry) were held on 9 and 23April 2017 beginning at 9am. The admission exams were for the Master inMedicine, and Pharmacy degree courses. 622 candidate-students attended the firstBiology exam, welcomed in “Asklepiy” hall by vice rector of education, Prof.Margarita Aleksandrova, the Exam Evaluation Commission chair, assoc. prof.Milena Atanasova, Virzhiniya Lazarova and the candidate-student parents. SonyaMilkova drew exam version 16 for the Biology exam which lasted 4 hours. After№evaluation the results were: good – 34%, very good – 26% and excellent – 9%.

The second preliminary exam for the Master in Medicine, and Pharmacydegree courses was Chemistry. The 573 (76 more than last year) candidate-students who attended the exam were welcomed in “Asklepiy” hall by vice rector

of education, Prof. Margarita Aleksandrova, the Exam Evaluation Commissionchair, Prof. Angelina Stoyanova, Virzhiniya Lazarova and the candidate-studentparents. After evaluation the results were: good – 37%, very good – 28% andexcellent – 12% (22 candidate-students).

On 8 April 107 candidate-students attended the Biology admission exam forthe nine Bachelor degree courses, including “Medical cosmetics”. They could seetheir examination results online. Among them, 34% received a “good” mark, 22% -“very good” and 30% - excellent.Application, between 20 to 30 June, for the regular exams could be done on thespot, online or at admissions bureaus anywhere in the country. Regular exams arescheduled on 5 July (Biology) and 12 July (Chemistry) for the Medicine andPharmacy degree courses. The Biology test for the Bachelor degree courses will beon 27 July.

PLEVEN GOVERNOR VISITEDMEDICAL UNIVERSITY – PLEVEN

Pleven regionalGovernor , Mar ioTodorov, met withMedical University –Pleven Rector, Prof.Dr. Slavcho Tomov.The Rector showed

him around the Endoscopy Telecommunicationscenter with the high-tech 3D medical table for virtualdissection where he made a demonstration of thepossibilities the equipment provides to the guest.

At the end of his visit, Mario Todorov inspectedthe newly established Faculty of Pharmacy. He notedthe University's important role in becoming aneducational hub not only in the region but in theentire country, attracting more and more Bulgarianand foreign students with its modern image. This, henoted, has a positive impact not only on theUniversity as an educational and health center, but onthe city as an attractive hub for social and economicdevelopment.

MU-PLEVEN STUDENTS ORGANIZED AN INFORMATIONALCAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESSFOR WORLD RARE DISEASE DAY

Once again this yearWorld Rare Disease Daywas observed worldwideon the last day of February.It was observed in 15 citiesin Bulgaria, among whichwas Pleven, by releasing

colorful balloons in solidarity for the millions around the worldsuffering from rare diseases.The Medicine Students of Bulgaria Association – Pleven andstudents from the Faculty of Health Care at the Medical Universityorganized an informational campaign at the Pleven Central Mall inorder to raise awareness of the millions affected around the world.The students explained that one person in 2000 suffers from a raredisease, and in Bulgaria they are estimated to be around 400,000.“Even though the National Health Insurance Fund doesn't cover allof them or has very specific requirements from the budget, there arethings being done to alleviate this issue. It is difficult but change ishappening. There are diseases for which there has been littlefunding but in time the funding has increased, or the InsuranceFund has covered it completely,” said the students.

Academia

MEDICAMEDICA

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MU-PLEVEN ONCE AGAIN HELD A CHARITY MARKET “MARTENITZATA –LET'S KEEP TRADITION TOGETHER” – A PROJECT TO RAISE

FUNDS FOR PERSONS AND CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

vol 7. 2/201Academia

MEDICAMedical College

The students and lecturers of the Social Activities degree program at the Medical College –Pleven, worked on the annual project “Martenitzata – let's keep tradition together”. The initiativepromotes creativity in persons and children with disabilities by including them in the process ofmaking martenitza. The project aims to bring together students (future social workers) and people inneed of social services in a creative environment in order to make traditional Bulgarian martenitza.They were made in the “Grandmother Marta Workshop” and were on display on a charity market atthe lobby of the University main building from 27 February until 1 March. The proceedings will gotoward therapy for adults and children with disabilities.

Participants in the exhibition were Center for Social Rehabilitation and Integration; “P.R.Slaveykov” Special School; Shelter for adults with mental retardation; Mental Health Center and Day care center for adultswith disabilities.

Separate markets were set up by Social Activities first and second year students to raise funds for various initiatives for thepeople in need of social services; and by the National Association of Orphans inBulgaria in support of the “Festival of Beauty – Pleven 2017” campaign to aid lessfortunate high school graduates.

Students acquainted their foreign colleagues with the meaning behind thisunique Bulgarian tradition. This event is only part of the series of events dedicatedto World Social Work Day on 21 March and Week of Action (20 03 – 24 03 2017).

The charity market and the project are sponsored by Rector of MU-Pleven, Prof.Dr. Slavcho Tomov and Pleven regional Governor, Mario Todorov.

MEDICAL COLLEGE – PLEVEN CELEBRATEDWORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY

The students and lecturers of the Social Activities degreeprogram at the Medical College – Pleven celebrated World SocialWork Day on 21 March in “Pleven” hall. The event, sponsored byPleven regional Governor, Mario Todorov, gathered manyrepresentatives of various social institutions of the Pleven region.

The program of the event, which was under the slogan“Cooperation”, included a “Cooperation” presentation by students

of the Social Activities degree program; a role-playing game “A child in risk” by high school students studying “Social workwith children and families at risk” at the “Aleko Konstantinov” Vocational School – Pleven; a concert by dance ensemble“Aleko dances and sings”, six family-type accommodation centers in Pleven and Day care center for adults with disabilities inPleven.The World Social Work Day is part of the Week of Action which is every third week of March.