First scientific meeting of Yugoslav nephrologists, Struga, Republic of Macedonia, 26-28.IX 1977--introduction to the development of nephrology--in former Yugoslavia.

The first scientific meeting of nephrologists in Yugoslavia with international participation was held in Struga, Republic of Macedonia, on Lake Ohrid, 26 to 28 September 1977. During the Third Symposium on Endemic Nephropathy, which was held in Nis on 5 to 8 November 1975 at the Radon Hotel, representatives of the nephrology sections of the republics founded the Yugoslav Society of Nephrology. Academician Vojislav Danilovic from Belgrade was elected as the Association's first President. It was decided that the first scientific meeting of Yugoslav Nephrologists be held in Struga, Macedonia, 1977, and the first Nephrology Congress in Belgrade in 1979. It was also agreed that congresses be held every four years, and to organize scientific meetings between congresses. In this way, the Nephrology Association of Yugoslavia gained the opportunity for a lot of activities every two years. The Proceedings of the First Scientific Meeting of Yugoslav Nephrologists contained 6 plenary lectures and 84 papers presented during the three sections of the scientific meeting, 31 about hypertension and kidneys, 19 about immunology in nephrology and 34 about dialysis. The first scientific meeting of Yugoslav nephrologists with international participation was the first major review of the achievements of Nephrology in Yugoslavia, assessment of its results, work incentives and the creation of a vision for future development. The meeting strengthened the ties among the colleagues, new acquaintances were created, and new ideas for further cooperation appeared.