Reporting From the ISN Affiliated Societies Meeting ’24: Exploring the Hong Kong Society of Nephrology’s Contribution to Global Kidney Care
The Hong Kong Society of Nephrology (HKSN) participated in the ISN Affiliated Societies Meeting at the recent WCN’24 in Buenos Aires, sharing the broad spectrum of its activities toward improving regional and global kidney care.
Key points from the HKSN presentation:
Membership strength
Most nephrologists practicing in Hong Kong belong to the HKSN, with a membership base of around 200 full members and 680 associate members, demonstrating its pivotal role in supporting the local nephrology community.
Educational endeavors
The HKSN organizes several educational symposia annually. These include flagship events such as the Annual Scientific Meeting and an Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology -HKSN CME course. These symposia serve as essential platforms for knowledge exchange and professional development.
International involvement: kidney health conferences
The HKSN has been involved in organizing several prominent international renal conferences. Notable events include the Asian Pacific Congress of Nephrology, the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis Congress (ISPD), the World Congress of Nephrology, the Congress of the International Society for Hemodialysis, and the International Congress of Chinese Nephrologists. It is currently preparing to host the 5th International Congress of Chinese Nephrologists in December 2024. The HKSN supports some of its members to attend local and international conferences.
Research promotion and scholarships
Committed to advancing kidney-related research, the HKSN offers annual research grants and a Young Nephrologist Investigator Scholarship to help early-career researchers explore innovative avenues in kidney care.
In addition, the HKSN collaborates with international organizations such as the ISN and the International Association of Chinese Nephrologists (IACN) to provide scholarships, including the ISN-HKSN China Scholarship and the IACN-ISN-HKSN Scholarship, focusing on the development of clinical nephrology.
Community initiatives and patient support
The HKSN engages with the local community through initiatives such as the annual World Kidney Day in Hong Kong event, which has been held in collaboration with the Hong Kong Kidney Foundation since 2006.
Additionally, since 2012, the HKSN has co-organized the biennial Hong Kong Transplant and Dialysis Games (HKTDG) in collaboration with the Hong Kong Transplant Sport Association. The event aims to increase the fitness and confidence of transplant and dialysis patients and raise awareness about organ donation. The upcoming edition in October 2024 will be an international spectacle with other nations joining the China and Macau teams.
Innovative kidney care: Advancing home hemodialysis
The HKSN has been at the forefront of efforts to enhance kidney care in Hong Kong, mainly through developing a home hemodialysis program launched in 2006. This initiative highlights the HKSN’s commitment to expanding access to advanced kidney care treatment and improving patient outcomes.
The ISN looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the HKSN to help improve kidney care worldwide.
