News

KRACON23 delegates at the onsite ISN booth

In September, the ISN supported the Kenya Renal Association and its Annual Conference (KRACON23) in Mombasa, Kenya, through its Educational Ambassador (EA) and Continuing Medical Education Programs. The theme of the event was “Multidisciplinary Approach to Kidney Care.”

A well-attended gathering

The congress saw an impressive turnout of over 500 delegates from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Egypt, the USA, and Canada. Additional attendees from other African countries joined virtually for the online sessions.

The ISN supported Rasha Darwish from Egypt, an ISN Dialysis Working Group member, to deliver a talk on peritoneal dialysis (PD).

From left to right, Milton Obi, Rasha Darwish, Avneesh Kumar, and Mohammed Gongo contribute to a session on dialysis at KRACON

Interactive sessions and workshops

The event featured three interactive sessions on hemodialysis, PD and vascular access, and point-of-care ultrasound. Five workshops were held, including one with the Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group.

ISN Educational Ambassador lends expertise to the program

ISN Educational Ambassador Avneesh Kumar, from the Sheffield Kidney Institute in the UK, was supported through the EA Program to deliver hands-on training in transplantation at the Nairobi Hospital and assist in the vascular access workshop at the conference.

The main aim of the EA visit was to improve the surgical skills of trainee transplant surgeons by providing opportunities for them to perform a wider range of surgeries with increasing levels of complexity so that more kidney transplants can be carried out locally. Another goal was to improve knowledge of vascular access techniques within the nephrology team at Nairobi Hospital.

ISN Educational Ambassador Avneesh Kumar during surgery at Nairobi hospital

This local team will be able to train younger colleagues in the future. Kenya is currently setting up a deceased organ donation program under a dedicated tissue and transplantation authority (TTA), increasing the need for transplant skills in the region.

Khalida Soki, from the Kenya Renal Association, reported on the impact of the training delivered by Avneesh Kumar: “We have done three really difficult transplants that have been successful and two difficult vascular cases today.”

Celebrating excellence

Sixteen abstract submissions were accepted. In harmony with the jubilant atmosphere at the conference, the best abstract awardee came on stage dancing as the senior professor, also dancing, presented the certificate!

Impactful outcomes

In addition, ISN staff presented on granting opportunities available to ISN members. Dr. Soki reports that eight young physicians have come forward to inquire about training in nephrology since the conference.

The ISN grants director explains the value of the ISN EA Program

The ISN met with regional representatives to explore opportunities for expanding training programs in the region to accommodate such requests. Tushar Vachharajani, ISN Core Programs Committee chair, participated virtually.

The ISN grants director commented, “We were extremely impressed by the energy, drive, and enthusiasm of KRA leaders and congress delegates. There is no doubt that nephrology in Kenya is in excellent hands. We are eager to stay in touch and continue supporting Kenya and neighboring countries in Eastern Africa.”

Some of the delegates and faculty attending KRACON23

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