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The HEALTH | January-February. 2025
Malaysia( MoH) to promote awareness regarding kidney health and the prevention of chronic kidney disease( CKD).
SETTING STANDARDS: Dato’ Indera Dr Nor Azimi Yunus officiates the event, flanked by Prof Dr Lim Soo Kun( left) and Dr T Thiruventhiran.
Early detection, better protection
• CKD highlights the need for comprehensive healthcare sstrategies to reduce risks
• Continuous professional development and collaboration are crucial to improve healthcare standards and patient outcomes.
• CKD prevalence in Malaysia has significantly increased, with diabetes and hypertension being the leading causes.
Vantive launches in Malaysia
BY SHEILA ROZARIO
THE public has long overlooked the importance of our kidneys and their functions. Despite chronic kidney disease( CKD) being a growing global crisis, there remains a worrying lack of awareness.
CKD is often called a“ silent killer” because symptoms only appear in the later stages, making early detection and prevention crucial.
In response to this urgent health challenge, the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia( NKF), in collaboration with the Malaysian Society of Nephrology( MSN), hosted a unique forum titled,‘ Living Well with Chronic Kidney Disease( CKD): Empowering Knowledge & Community Support’.
The event on Feb 23, in conjunction with the global observance of World Kidney Day( WKD) on Mar 13, witnessed the participation of over 500 individuals, including healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, and members of the public.
The occasion was officiated by the Deputy Director-General of Health Dato’ Dr Nor Azimi Yunus, thereby reinforcing the commitment of the Ministry of Health
EARLY DETECTION AND PREVENTION
Themed“ Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health”, this year’ s WKD campaign highlighted the significance of timely screening, lifestyle changes, and comprehensive healthcare strategies. Two key forums during the event provided invaluable insights into the realities of CKD and ways to combat its rise.
The first forum,‘ Navigating a New Normal: Stories of Hope and Resilience from Kidney Patients and Carers’, featured deeply personal narratives from individuals living with CKD and their caregivers.
These real-life stories shed light on the emotional, financial, and physical challenges of managing the disease while demonstrating the power of resilience and support networks.
Meanwhile, the second forum,‘ Detecting and Preventing CKD: From the Lens of a General Practitioner and Family Medicine Specialist( FMS)’, brought together medical experts to discuss the importance of early screening, dietary and lifestyle interventions, and multidisciplinary approaches in reducing CKD risks.
Panellists stressed the need for better education on CKD among both the medical fraternity and the general public to facilitate earlier diagnoses and improved patient outcomes.
A UNIFIED FRONT
“ NKF remains committed to supporting the vision and policies of the MoH in strengthening the nation’ s healthcare system,” said NKF Vice-Chairman Dr T Thiruventhiran.
“ Addressing kidney disease requires a multi-sectoral approach, fostering collaboration between the government, NGOs, the private sector, and the public.”
He emphasised that continuous professional development initiatives, such as the WKD forum, play a critical role in equipping
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VANTIVE, the newly established standalone company formerly known as Baxter’ s Kidney Care division, has launched its operations in Malaysia, marking a significant milestone in kidney care innovation.
With a legacy spanning over 70 years, Vantive is committed to extending lives and expanding possibilities for patients through advanced dialysis solutions and vital organ therapy.
As a market leader in kidney care, Vantive collaborates with more than 50 peritoneal dialysis centres across public hospitals, including strategic partnerships with the Ministry of Health’ s( MoH) Nephrology Services and the Malaysian Society of Nephrology.
These collaborations aim to enhance patient-centred care, promote research, and advance education
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in the field of nephrology.
During the launch, Vantive General Manager( Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar) Paul Uthaichalanond emphasised the company’ s dedication to digital innovation and patient empowerment.
“ Our transition from Baxter’ s Kidney Care allows us to concentrate on creating advanced solutions for
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Strong Partnerships Collaborating with industry leaders and healthcare professionals to improve treatment options for kidney patients nationwide.
kidney patients, enabling them to choose therapies that best fit their needs, including home dialysis options,” he said.
“ We are also transforming our Shared Services Centre into a worldclass Global Business Centre, which will significantly contribute to the Malaysian economy and workforce development.”
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The launch coincided with World Kidney Day and addressed the urgent need for enhanced dialysis services in Malaysia. According to the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, chronic kidney disease( CKD) currently impacts over five million Malaysians, with more than 10,000 new dialysis patients diagnosed each year.
The MoH has responded by prioritising the Peritoneal Dialysis( Home Dialysis) First Policy, which aims to expand access to home-based treatment and improve management of end-stage kidney disease.
Deputy Minister of Health Dato Lukanisman Awang Sauni highlighted the importance of collaboration among government entities, healthcare providers, and industry partners in combating rising kidney disease prevalence.
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