Skopje, 24 November 2025 (MIA) - President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova decorated cardiologist and alpinist Sashko Kedev with the Order ‘8 September’ for his outstanding contributions in medicine, not only in the country but also at the European and global level, as well as for his historic achievement in alpinism as the first Macedonian to climb all 14 of the world’s mountain peaks exceeding 8,000 meters.

Speaking at the ceremony late Sunday at the Macedonian Philharmonic, Siljanovska-Davkova said that the academician Sashko Kedev is a man whose personal and social integrity goes far beyond his professional field and has become part of the collective memory of the state and society.

“He is known to all of us as a leading medical expert and as one of the pioneers and key figures in developing interventional cardiology. Academician Kedev’s biography is a lesson for all of us and a useful guide for future generations. It proves that success is not a privilege or a matter of chance, but a logical result and a deserved reward for the tremendous, almost superhuman efforts of an exceptional person,” Siljanovska-Davkova said.

Siljanovska-Davkova said that considering all he has done for medicine, science, sports, the international reputation of our country, and Macedonian democracy, the least we can do is to honour him. She added that it is impossible to speak about him without noting his active and visible contribution to Macedonian democracy from the first days of independence to today.

“No matter where he travels or what he does internationally, he represents Macedonia in the best way. His role as Honorary Consul of Indonesia is proof of this, reflecting his remarkable ability to build bridges of trust and cooperation between nations,” Siljanovska-Davkova said.

“The facts show that he is one of the leading interventional cardiologists at the University Clinic of Cardiology, in other centers across the country, and in many renowned international medical institutions from Canada to South Africa, giving him, something of a Columbus- or Magellan-like profile in the medical world, Siljanovska-Davkova said, adding that his scientific work is extraordinary by national standards and highlighted that academician Kedev introduced revolutionary techniques into cardiology, raising standards, opening new horizons, and giving thousands of patients a second chance.

She pointed out that over more than two decades, Sashko Kedev climbed all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks.

“His achievements spark questions, amazement, and admiration, and they push the limits of human endurance and belief… I am convinced that academician Kedev’s accomplishments are not accidental, but the result of enormous knowledge and relentless, Sisyphean effort, grounded in strong moral values and deep spirituality. The courage and stamina he developed in the operating room also drive him upward to the world’s highest peaks, and his belief in justice and morality guides him in the fight for a better, fairer, democratic society,” Siljanovska-Davkova said.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, several government ministers, mayors, academics, and many notable public figures attended the Order-awarding ceremony held Sunday evening at the Macedonian Philharmonic.

The Order is being awarded to Kedev for his brave contributions to the establishment of an independent Republic of Macedonia, his active role in developing Macedonian democracy, and his notable achievements in medicine, both at home and abroad, through his membership in renowned international scientific associations. He is recognized as a leading interventional cardiologist for introducing innovative techniques performing thousands of coronary interventions and more than 1,600 trans-radial carotid stentings, and achieved exceptional educational and scientific accomplishments, evidenced by 230 publications indexed in ‘Web of Science,’ an H-index of 36, and 13,650 citations. He is also honored for fostering international cooperation as the Honorary Consul of Indonesia.

Photo: MIA