News

The Professor Donal O’Donoghue, Global Kidney Policy Forum: Building Healthier Sustainable Communities to Safeguard Kidney Health, brought together virtually key decision-makers and stakeholders, including WHO representatives, local politicians, patients, and internationally renowned nephrologists at the World Congress of Nephrology 2022.

In line with the 12 Recommendations to Global Kidney Health guidelines, speakers addressed the burden of kidney diseases in the Southeast Asia region, discussing policies and strategies to improve kidney care and prevention at regional and global levels. Keynote speakers included:

• Dr. Ong Loke Meng, National Head of Nephrology Service for the Ministry of Health Malaysia
• Dr. Slim Slama, Unit Head, Noncommunicable Diseases Management-Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (MND), at the World Health Organisation
• Mr. Manvir Victor, kidney patient, patient advocate, and inaugural chair of the ISN Patient Liaison Advisory Group
• Dr. Amrish Krishnan, a Fijian nephrologist who set up the first kidney hospital in Fiji

After the presentations, speakers and participants continued to discuss the issues raised in an interactive networking session.

The ISN will be working with local partners to turn the forum’s recommendations into reality and help address the significant variations in the accessibility, affordability, and quality of care throughout the region.