The Malaysian Society of Nephrology (MSN) working in collaboration with the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF) and the Association of Dialysis Managers and Nurses (ADMAN) marked the inaugural World Kidney Day on March 9th 2006 with the following activities: In Kuala Lumpur

1.Official launch of World Kidney Day – this event was officiated by the Parliamentary Secretary for the Malaysian Ministry of Health, the Honourable Dato’ Lee Kah Choon at the Main Auditorium of Hospital Kuala Lumpur on 9th March 2006.

2.Press conference - following the official launch, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Health (The Hon. Dato’ Lee Kah Choon), the President of the Malaysian Society of Nephrology (Dr. Hooi Lai Seong), the Chairman of the National Kidney Foundation Malaysia (Dr. S.S. Gill), the Head of the Department of Nephrology Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Vice-Chairman of NKF (Dato’Dr Zaki Morad bin Mohamed Zaher) and Director of Hospital Kuala Lumpur (Dr.Azmi Shapie) held a press conference with journalists from a selected number of major dailies that provide coverage in three of the major languages in Malaysia i.e. English, Malay and Chinese

3. Public education forum. This involved a 45 minute lecture to cover basic aspects of kidney function and disease, followed by a Q&A session with a panel of nephrologists. The activity was attended by a total of 128 participants

4. Free health screening for kidney disease. This involved urine testing, dextrostix testing and blood pressure measurement. It was held for 2 days, from 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 7pm on 9th and 10th March 2006. Nephrology specialists and two Consultant Nephrologists assisted with counseling sessions at the screening site and arranged for further follow-up of any abnormalities detected. The total number of people screened was 616.

5. Public Exhibition on CKD. An exhibition using posters, dialysis machines and a CAPD model as educational tools was set up in the Main Lobby of Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Members of the NKF and ADMAN assisted at the exhibition to answer questions from visitors.

6. Retardation of Renal Disease Workshop - A half-day workshop for medical officers and allied healthcare professionals from primary and secondary care clinics in the Klang Valley region. This program has already been running since 2003 and has been carried out in all 13 states of Malaysia. The program is now doing a second round of the country. The program covers the following topics:

i. Introduction to Chronic Kidney Disease and the importance of retarding renal disease progression

ii. Early detection of renal disease iii. Management of diabetic nephropathy iv. Antihypertensive therapy and progression of renal

failure v. General strategies of renal protection

vi. Prevention of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in renal failure

On the 9th of March 2006, 73 people attended this workshop at the Main Auditorium of Hospital Kuala Lumpur. The lectures were given by 4 Consultant Nephrologists and 2 Nephrology Specialists.

7. Display of a giant banner and buntings at various sites within the Hospital Kuala Lumpur to publicize World Kidney Day

In Penang A press conference was held by the Head of the Department of Medicine and Senior Consultant Nephrologist of Hospital Pulau Pinang (Dr. Rozina Ghazalli). Others : 1. A set of posters was commissioned with the theme of Early Detection and Prevention. These were sent to members of the Malaysian Society of Nephrology representing every state for display at their respective hospital outpatient clinics. 2. A live radio interview was given by a Consultant Nephrologist on the morning of 9th March to highlight CKD and the World Kidney Day.