Young Nephrologists Shaping the Future of Peritoneal Dialysis: Iman Al Shamsi on the YNC’s Contribution
by YNC member Iman Al Shamsi
The ISN recognizes the importance of PD in managing kidney failure, as it is the most accessible method for enabling home-based dialysis. The ISN joined forces with the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) to launch the International Home Dialysis Consortium (IHDC) with support from other international organizations. Established in 2023, the IHDC was officially launched at WCN’24 in Buenos Aires.
The next generation of nephrologists will play a crucial role in shaping the future of PD. Many members of the Young Nephrologists Committee (YNC) are actively working to increase access to PD and drive innovation in the field. Their commitment to advancing PD highlights the promising future of this important treatment. We caught up with two of them to learn more about their efforts to advance PD.
Dr. Yannick Nlandu on implementing a pediatric PD Program
“In the Democratic Republic of Congo, acute kidney injury in children often leads to devastating outcomes due to limited access to pediatric kidney replacement therapy.
However, a groundbreaking initiative has revolutionized the treatment landscape. By establishing the country’s first pediatric acute peritoneal dialysis program, a team of dedicated healthcare professionals has dramatically improved access to dialysis and survival rates for children with severe acute kidney injury. Since its inception in 2018, the program has successfully treated over 250 children, with an astonishing 74.9% survival rate – a stark contrast to the mere 5% access to dialysis and 50% mortality rate that existed before.
This remarkable achievement is attributed to the innovative use of homemade peritoneal dialysis fluids, making treatment more affordable and accessible. The program’s success is a testament to the power of collaboration, training, and commitment to saving young lives, and its extension to other provinces and neighboring countries will profoundly impact pediatric healthcare in the region.”
Dr. Ahad Qayyum on advancing PD in Pakistan:
“A newly developed local automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) cycler has proved effective and safe in performing APD in Pakistan. This breakthrough has the potential to transform kidney care in the country, where APD was previously non-existent due to the high cost of cyclers.
The locally developed cycler was found to be a reliable device with built-in monitoring algorithms that detect and resolve any issues, ensuring the safety of patients.
A study on this automated PD machine demonstrates the many benefits of APD, including better technique and patient survival, differential benefits of clearance, and apparent lower peritonitis rates. Compliance rates in patients using APD were better than those of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.”
Thanks to this low-cost cycler, APD is now a viable option for patients in Pakistan, offering them a better quality of life and more flexibility in their treatment. The success of this development is a significant step forward for kidney care in Pakistan, and its implications extend beyond the country’s borders, offering hope for patients in developing countries where APD was previously inaccessible.”
Recent and ongoing YNC involvement in PD-related initiatives
In addition, as part of pre-WCN’24 activities, the YNC joined members of the ISN Saving Young Lives Initiative to assist in a training workshop.
At this workshop, a large group of young nephrologists from across Latin America received training in PD. The training included a hands-on session demonstrating PD catheter insertion and managing important complications.
The YNC also hosted an interactive session discussing challenges to PD practices in Latin America, addressing how doctors and nurses can collaborate to improve the well-being of people with PD in the region.
The ISN remains committed to expanding home dialysis options worldwide. The ISN will participate in a joint symposium at the upcoming ISPD 2024 Congress in Dubai in September. Several YNC members will feature as speakers in the session. An IHDC Experts Meeting for the Middle East will be held at the event, and a follow-up meeting will coincide with WCN’25 in New Delhi from February 6-9.
We invite you to join the ISN and the YNC at ISPD 2024 to connect with experts at the world’s largest gathering of PD specialists.
