 KDF's life-saving mission goes far beyond providing quality dialysis. Its function includes programmes to increase public awareness and understanding. Since its beginning, KDF has organised regular public forums to provide valuable yet commonly ignored information on kidney-related issues. Health talks can also be arranged for corporations that request them for the benefit of their employees. In 2004, KDF commissioned the production of New Lease of Life to highlight the turbulent experiences and emotions of patients and family members struggling to cope with kidney failure and dialysis treatment. The all-new info-educational programme was telecast on Channel U, from 10 February till 31 March 2005 on every Thursday at 8:30pm and repeated in June 2005.
New Lease of Life featured eight episodes of real-life stories portraying KDF’s patients who are battling with life-threatening kidney diseases and financial difficulties. But with the high quality and low cost kidney dialysis treatment, and holistic medical care rendered by KDF, these patients managed to rise above their problems, and still strived to pursue their hopes and aspirations.
New Lease of Life also sought to educate the public on various aspects of kidney diseases – putting the spotlight on causes of kidney failure (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure), how kidney failure can be prevented, the availability of options for treatment and transplantation – delivered by the volunteer nephrologists.
\In order to clearly advise pre-ESRD patients and their family members on treatment options available to them, a treatment options VCDs are produced. These VCDs are usually used by the attending doctors, medical social worker (MSW) and co-ordinators in the restructured hospitals.
Constant training of dialysis technicians and nurses helps to improve and upgrade their skills. Medical courses are also organised to help keep kidney specialists at the forefront of advancements in the medical field.
KDF conducts the Basic Renal Nursing Education Course to provide the fundamental theories and practices of renal care to nurses.
Part of professional education is the biennial State of the Art Nephrology Course (SOTANC) organised by the Foundation to update participants in the practice of state-of-the-art nephrology. It prepares them for clinical comprehension, analysis and translation of the burgeoning knowledge base in basic science, clinical trials and global clinical experience into immediately applicable tools in the management of patients with kidney disease and associated complications. The faculty often consists of renowned international and Asian clinicians, teachers and researchers. |