Slovak Society of Medical Genetics

The slovak society of medical genetics (ssmg) is a professional association for all medical genetics personnel and for professionals in alternate medical fields interested in medical genetics. ssmg was established in 1967 which  has a common history with the Czech Society of medical genetics  and although the Czech and Slovak medical genetic societies separated in conjunction with 1993 statehood, they maintain close collaboration. Current ssmg membership varies from 110 to 120; with the main purpose of promoting member's professional skills and their activity in organized workshops, seminars, and congresses. The initial congress was organized in 1974, and this annual event was then renamed the Izakovič's Memorial in 1990 to honor Professor Viliam Izakovič; founder and outstanding expert in Slovak medical genetics. This annual memorial congress encompasses all fields of medical genetics and it currently alternates between SR cities, with an average 100 oral and poster presentations. Medical genetics in slovak forms an integral part of the healthcare system and according to the Conceptual Framework of Medical Genetics. These services have three types of listed providers i.e; medical genetics departments, medical genetics outpatient clinics and specialized laboratories. Medical genetic service providers are either state-owned or private companies and conform to the Conceptual Framework of Medical Genetics. These services are financed from public health insurance by agreement between provider and insurance company. In slovak, genetic testing is also offered by domestic and foreign companies via direct-to-consumer testing. The ssmg has a well-established organizational structure, network of providers, personnel and methodical conditions which ensure high-level services. Research is concentrated on complex and longitudinal genetic studies and genetic care on prenatal and postnatal development of individuals and families with the risk of diseases and developmental errors. There is also close collaboration with research genetic projects of the Czech Academy of Sciences in the frame of the Czech Centre for Integrated Genomic.