Author: Nertila Ivanovski

The Obesity Management Center at the Zan Mitrev Clinic has attained the prestigious status of EASO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Management (COM). It is officially accredited by the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) for the 2026–2028 period, recognizing it as a leading center for obesity treatment at the European level. This accreditation represents the highest European recognition in the field of obesity treatment. It is awarded exclusively to centers that meet the strictest medical, scientific, and organizational criteria, in accordance with European and academic clinical guidelines. The accreditation process involved a thorough evaluation by the EASO COM Working Group, confirming clinical excellence, a multidisciplinary approach, and long-term patient care.

With this recognition, Zan Mitrev Clinic becomes the first and only EASO-COM accredited center within a private healthcare institution in the entire Balkan region, positioning the clinic as a regional reference center for modern, integrated, and science-based obesity treatment.

The EASO COM accreditation serves as a direct guarantee to patients that obesity treatment at Zan Mitrev Clinic is conducted according to the highest European standards, offering concrete benefits: treatment and application of validated clinical protocols, a structured patient pathway, and continuous monitoring of results. It enables access to the latest scientific achievements and modern therapies through involvement in European expert networks, knowledge exchange and implementation of the latest therapeutic approaches, as well as collaboration with top European medical centers within the EASO COM network to create European consensus guidelines and joint professional initiatives.

The Obesity Management Center is led by Dr. Julijana Mihajlovska, an endocrinology specialist, whose expertise, dedication, and professionalism were key to achieving this high European recognition.

The treatment is implemented via a multidisciplinary team—including an endocrinologist, geneticist, physiotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, and nutritionist, along with other medical specialties as needed. This ensures a comprehensive, personalized, and long-term approach to obesity as a chronic and complex disease.

Through this accreditation, Zan Mitrev Clinic once again reiterates its mission to provide European standards, medical precision, and top-tier patient care, setting new benchmarks in modern healthcare.

The Zan Mitrev Clinic organized the international symposium “Guidelines in Practice”, held in Skopje with the participation of eminent European and regional experts. The event affirmed the clinic’s role as a modern medical center that actively contributes to promoting cardiovascular medicine both in the country, as well as more broadly in the region.

The symposium, organized in collaboration with the Heart and Lung Center at the Leiden University Medical Center (Netherlands), was dedicated to the practical application of the latest European ESC/EACTS clinical guidelines in the treatment of coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease. Through a full-day scientific program, interactive multidisciplinary discussions, and the presentation of complex clinical cases, key questions were addressed regarding modern decision-making, personalized patient approaches, and the integration of innovative surgical and interventional techniques into daily clinical practice.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Zhan Mitrev noted that the occasion for this symposium was his 40-year jubilee in medicine and the milestone of 15,000 surgeries performed. However, he emphasized that the event’s value extends far beyond these personal achievements: “Our goal here is to meet with exceptionally experienced and highly respected experts in our field to stay informed, review current innovations, and update our knowledge to see where we stand globally. Our mission is for patients in this country to have access to treatment equal to that of the best European centers. As a private clinical center, we are aware of our responsibility—not only to implement the latest clinical guidelines but to actively invest in education, collaboration, and the development of medical practice. Such symposia prove that private healthcare can be a driver of progress, standards, and quality within the entire healthcare system,” stated Dr. Mitrev.

According to the Minister of Health, hosting such a symposium is vital for professional platforms and the lifelong learning of domestic medical experts: “The topic discussed today, including the latest guidelines and the cutting-edge technology used for heart disease, provides an excellent opportunity for the exchange of new scientific knowledge, clinical experience, and therapy. A crucial aspect of this symposium is its interactive format, which allows for an open exchange of experiences and collaboration among the various medical experts present here with us. Improving clinical decision-making ultimately aims to provide safer, higher-quality, and more personalized care for our patients within the healthcare roadmap. I would like to thank you for your commitment to medical education and the advancement of cardiovascular medicine,” noted Minister Aliu.

Expert insights were shared by eminent cardiac surgeons and cardiologists from renowned institutions, including Leiden University Medical Center and Amsterdam UMC (Netherlands), University of Freiburg (Germany), “Dedinje” Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases in Belgrade (Serbia), as well as leading international authorities in structural heart interventions and cardiac surgery innovations. The symposium was attended by prominent professionals from both private and public health institutions in the country, as well as the Director of the Health Insurance Fund, Sasho Klekovski. The presence of these experts facilitated a high level of scientific exchange and direct insight into European treatment standards.

The symposium, accredited by the Doctors’ Chamber of North Macedonia, concluded with clear conclusions for further strengthening the multidisciplinary approach, continuous medical education, and alignment with the highest European standards in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

With events like this, the Zhan Mitrev Clinic continues to solidify its role as a regional center of knowledge, innovation, and top-tier medical expertise.

The Zan Mitrev Clinic once again joined the global initiative to further support our youngest fighters and their families, marking the world day of prematurely born babies, November 17th. On the eve of the international day, the clinic’s façade turned purple, symbolizing sensitivity, prominence, and hope for all prematurely born children around the world.
Adopting the theme ‘Strong beginnings for hopeful futures,’ the commemoration highlighted the crucial importance of delivering excellent neonatal care right from the start. Through this commitment, we aim to provide every prematurely born baby with healthy beginning, ensuring their proper growth and maximizing their potential for a successful future.
As a major global health concern, premature birth affects approximately one out of every ten newborns globally (before the 37th gestation week). Such early arrival often leads to serious, long-term developmental consequences, especially concerning the brain, lungs, and eyesight. The World Prematurity Day thus serves to heighten awareness of these risks, advocate for prevention, and ensure better access to modern, family-oriented neonatal care.

On this day, institutions, medical staff, parents, and communities worldwide unite to answer the call for better policy, continuous parent access to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), and the creation of optimal conditions where every baby can thrive, grow, and develop.
The Mother and Baby Center, which includes a modernly equipped and highly skilled professional team, features a dedicated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This NICU specializes in treating and caring for premature and high-risk newborns. Overall, the Center delivered more than 170 babies (both naturally and via a C-section), with 12 of those infants born before the 37th week of gestation. The center offers comprehensive care during and after delivery, providing safety, security, and full support to every pregnant mother and newborn.

Building on this commitment, the Zan Mitrev Clinic extends its support throughout November: in addition to the symbolic illumination, the clinic implements targeted activities focused on family support, early childhood care, and education.
Through our joint dedication and continuous care, we can fulfill the promise of ‘Strong beginnings for hopeful futures,’ ensuring every premature baby has a hopeful, safe, and prosperous future.

The European Federation of Critical Care Nursing Associations (EfCCNa) is a nonprofit organization established in 1999, unifying 35 national associations from 26 European countries, with more than 30,000 members.
Its mission is to promote cooperation among nurses in Europe with a view of improving the care for critically ill patients and their families, as well as developing a common European clinical practice, education, and scientific research.

Since 2014, nurse Zhaneta Bogoevska Miteva has been representing the Macedonian Critical Care Nursing Association in EfCCNa, and for the last three years she has been actively participating in the Management board of ESNO – the European Specialist Nurses Organization.

The fall meeting of the federation was held this weekend (10-12 October) in London, where, among other things, a new president was elected, as well as board members with congressional responsibilities.
It is with great honor and privilege that we announce the election of Nurse Zhaneta Miteva as the new President of the EfCCNa!

“I was deeply honored and delighted to have been nominated and elected president. A great deed of gratitude to all the representatives in EfCCNa, my colleagues from ZMC, my family, and especially Dr. Zhan Mitrev, who supported be unreservedly throughout all these years “
– said nurse Zhaneta B. Miteva.

Nurse Zhaneta has been a part of the ZMC clinic for 24 years, with a great deal of experience in intensive care and anesthesia – since the very beginning of the clinic.
During her career she has actively participated in the internal and continuous education of the medical staff, always with commitment, dedication, and professionalism.

Congratulations Zhaneta! With pride and dedication, you represent Macedonia and our clinic on the European stage!

The Zan Mitrev Clinic Mother and Baby Center marks one year of successful work, filled with joy, dedication, and hundreds of happy moments. During its first year, this modern center for delivery and neonatal care helped deliver 167 babies and created 167 new families. 

In the past twelve months the Center experienced many emotional stories – starting from the smallest baby, weighing only 1270 grams, to the largest baby delivered spontaneously with 4630 grams. Each of these stories proves that when knowledge, experience and technology unite, they create the most beautiful thing, new life. 

“We created a birth center that focusing on the mother and the baby – providing safety, comfort, and warmth that any family deserves. Our vision is that each delivery should be a pleasant experience, free of fear, and uncertainty, filled with confidence, professionalism and care. During this year we proved that Macedonia can indeed develop obstetrics according to the highest global standards – with state-of-the-art medical technology, a team of experienced specialists and approach that merges science and humanity”, said the Medical Director, Dr. Emil Stoicovski.

The Mother and Baby Center is built on an area of over 800 square meters, and it is equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology. It has two delivery rooms, an operating theatre, recovery rooms, neonatology and gynecology offices as well as comfortable suits which provide privacy and comfort in the postpartum period. The areas of operation of the Center include all three trimesters of the pregnancy, performing diagnostic investigations, HSG laboratory, genetic investigations such as amniocentesis, chorion biopsy, ultrasound and non-invasive prenatal tests. The team comprising gynecologists-obstetricians, neonatologists, anesthesiologists, midwives and nurses provides complete care before, during and after childbirth, available 24 hours a day.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the Center provides treatment and care for prematurely born and risky newborns. One of the most significant moments in the past year was the birth of triplets, born in the 31^st gestation week. This rare natural phenomenon affirmed the high expertise and preparedness of the medical team but also symbolizes compassion and dedication to each and every newborn.

The Center offers a complete spectrum of services for mothers and babies – monitoring of the pregnancy, diagnostic and genetic investigations, non-invasive prenatal tests, postpartum care and counselling. Special attention is paid to the individual approach where the gynecologist that has managed the pregnancy is present at the delivery, providing confidence and continuity at the most important moment.

After only one year, the Mother and Baby Center has positioned itself as a leading delivery and neonatology center in the country which continuously proves that the success is measured by the most beautiful unit – new life.

The international walking football competition took place between the “Wild Hogs” team of the Zan Mitrev Clinic and the Croatian club of “Mladi Starci” from Zagreb in front of the Croatian diplomatic corps, the delegation from the “Sijede Vrijede” association, an authorized representative of the Croatian Football Federation for promotion of this sport and the audience. Both teams played an inspirational game which once again affirmed the power of sport to unite. The game ended in the spirit of fair play with a tied result of 2 : 2. Thus, greatest winner was walking football itself, a new sport that has become ever more visible and increasingly supported in Macedonia as well.
The event was organized by the Zan Mitrev Clinic, the founder of this sport in our country. Through this project, the Clinic confirms that medicine and sports can work together towards common goals of promoting healthcare, physical activities, and inclusiveness. With this game, Macedonia and Croatia once again demonstrated that sports is the best bridge for friendship and cooperation, and walking football is the new symbol of health and community.
In addition, Zan Mitrev Clinic organized a broad auditorium about the environment and conditions for the development of this sport that grows and spreads very quickly throughout the world. The event involved exchanging of opinions, experiences and set the foundations for a more serious further development of this sport which has a truly great potential in Macedonia considering that this is a sport of elderly people and people that wish to “age healthily”.
Walking football represents a sports revolution: a game without running, focusing of walking, recreation, teamwork, and socialization. This makes it an ideal choice for elderly people, rehabilitating patients, chronically ill patients, diabetic patients, people with disabilities and anyone wishing to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.
The team of the Zan Mitrev Clinic “Wild Hogs” regularly participates in international tournaments, representing Macedonia in this sport as the founder, an advocate for development, and a promoter of something that widely expands throughout Europe and in the World, creating national leagues and federations.
With the support of FIFA and UEFA, this sport experiences global growth and is recognized as a healthy, beneficial and safe alternative to traditional football. Through such international competitions, Zan Mitrev Clinic strengthens its mission to create a movement that will spread the culture of sports and healthy lifestyle in Macedonia and throughout the region.