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Opening Message – 2026
The year 2026 opens with a highly active international landscape in hepatology, beginning as early as January with the First Annual Paris International Liver Meeting, a new global platform dedicated to innovation, multidisciplinary dialogue and strategic alignment across the field.
In this dynamic context, the RoALD/SRGH events of March, the 3rd Romanian Forum of Metabolic Hepatology and the 13th Update on Hepatology Course, integrate seamlessly and provide a complementary contribution to current international priorities.
The 2026 program focuses on two major pillars that shape contemporary hepatology and public health strategy:
MASLD, as a rapidly expanding metabolic and societal challenge requiring coordinated, multidisciplinary, prevention-oriented action;
Precision and clinically integrated hepatology, emphasizing targeted disease stratification, optimized therapeutic pathways and patient-centered long-term management.
Through high-quality scientific content, multidisciplinary dialogue, and participation of experts from national and international centers, the RoALD events aim to support evidence-based clinical decision-making and strengthen alignment with global standards in liver disease care.
In 2026, RoALD will also enhance ongoing professional communication.
At the end of each month, we will provide structured updates through a newly introduced RoALD Monthly Insights section, including:
key messages from national and international hepatology meetings;
relevant scientific developments in liver and metabolic diseases;
upcoming educational opportunities and RoALD initiatives.
We invite our colleagues to engage with these activities throughout the year and to contribute to advancing a coherent, evidence-driven and forward-looking approach to hepatology.
RoALD Team
DETAILS
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Introduction
The year 2025 represented a pinnacle of achievement for the Romanian Association for Liver Diseases (RoALD). With extensive participation in prestigious international and national congresses, successful execution of grant-funded projects, dedicated educational programs, multidisciplinary collaborations and strengthened communication with patients, RoALD elevated Romania’s profile in hepatology. Members contributed actively through invited lectures, oral presentations, posters, session chairing, and moderation roles, fostering both national and global advancements in liver disease management and patient care.
International Congresses
RoALD demonstrated a strong global presence by engaging in leading international events with significant Romanian contributions in presentations, leadership, and networking.
- EASL Congress 2025 (European Association for the Study of the Liver)
May 7–10, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Strong Romanian representation with invited oral presentations, chaired sessions such as “Do's and Don’ts in the Management of Liver Diseases” by Prof. Dr. Liana Gheorghe, posters and a dedicated RoALD poster in the National Associations Representatives section.
- ESOT Congress 2025 (European Society for Organ Transplantation)
June 29–July 2, 2025 – London, United Kingdom
Multiple invited and session oral presentations, posters and moderation activities.
- ILCA Annual Conference 2025 (International Liver Cancer Association)
November 19–21, 2025 – Hong Kong
Contributions included posters focused on liver cancer research and clinical management.
- World Congress of Gastroenterology at AGW 2025
September 19–22, 2025 – Melbourne, Australia
Presentations on viral hepatitis screening and results from the LIVERO2 Project expanded RoALD’s visibility in the Asia-Pacific region.
- 6th ELPAT Congress 2025
October 9–11, 2025 – Seville, Spain
First participation of a RoALD representative, presenting an oral communication and a poster on DCD donors.
- The Liver Meeting® 2025 (AASLD)
November 7–11, 2025 – Washington D.C., USA
Poster presentations on hepatitis screening in private laboratories (RE-LINK Project).
National Congresses
All are yearly national events, and RoALD participates consistently every year as a representative hepatology society. Two major events are organized directly by RoALD.
Gastroenterology & Hepatology Congresses
- 44th National Congress of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Digestive Endoscopy (Bucharest)
- GastroNews (Bucharest)
- News in Gastroenterology (Cluj)
- GastroForum (Constanța)
- 12th Update on Hepatology Course – organized by RoALD
- Second Romanian Forum of Metabolic Hepatology – organized by RoALD
Other Multidisciplinary National Events
- Craiova Connects (Gastroenterology–Cardiology–Endocrinology–Nutrition/Diabetes)
- Family Medicine National Conference
- National Congress of Cardiology
- National Conference on Amyloidosis
- Annual Conference of the Romanian Association for the Study of Obesity & 10th CECO
- Gilead Science Day
RoALD Projects and Research Initiatives
2025 was a pivotal year in strengthening RoALD’s national research activity, screening programs, and educational initiatives.
LIVE(RO) Projects
- LIVE(RO)3 - A comprehensive national project training family physicians and specialists in chronic liver disease screening, fibrosis assessment, and optimal referral pathways.
- LIVE(RO)4 - Approved and launched successfully, continuing the mission of improving early diagnosis and prevention of advanced liver disease.
Ongoing Grant-Funded Projects
- RE-LINK Project – Screening for HBV, HCV, and HDV through private laboratories, generating essential national epidemiological data.
- Institutionalized Populations Hepatitis Screening Project – Dedicated to vulnerable institutionalized groups, providing key insights for prevention strategies.
- ENHANCE D Study – A large prospective Phase IV clinical trial evaluating adherence, persistence, and quality of life in patients treated with bulevirtide for hepatitis D, with multiple Romanian centers contributing data.
Education: Summer and Winter Schools
RoALD invested in shaping the next generation of gastroenterologists and hepatologists through dedicated educational programs:
- Gastroenterology Summer School (Sibiu) - Intensive hepatology modules delivered by RoALD members.
- Gastroenterology Winter School (Cheile Grădiștei) - Prominent hepatology sections with active involvement from young physicians.
Multidisciplinarity and Collaborations with Other Societies
RoALD continued to promote holistic and integrated care for liver diseases by strengthening collaborations with:
- Hematology
- Cardiology
- Family Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Nutrition and Diabetology
These partnerships facilitated the incorporation of hepatology into broader national medical strategies.
Engagement and Communication with Patients
A core part of RoALD’s mission is patient-centered education and support.
- Liver Transplant Day (April 23 – St. George’s Day)
Bringing together liver transplant recipients, specialists, and caregivers for awareness and education.
- Patient participation in educational courses
In particular, during the Update on Hepatology Course, where post-transplant life and quality-of-life issues were discussed.
RoALD is committed to maintaining this tradition.
Conclusion
The year 2025 marked exceptional scientific growth, international visibility, and strengthened national collaborations for RoALD. Through participation in major congresses, multidisciplinary partnerships, research initiatives, and educational programs, RoALD solidified its position as a leading force in hepatology, liver transplantation, and chronic liver disease prevention in Romania.
With the launch of LIVE(RO)4, continued engagement in major international scientific events, and expansion of multidisciplinary research programs, RoALD is poised for an even more impactful year in 2026.
RoALD remains firmly committed to advancing science, improving patient care, and supporting the next generation of hepatologists and transplant physicians both in Romania and worldwide.
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