Expanding kidney care across the Philippines with ISN support
Faculty and fellows from NKTI during a study visit to TTSH
Over the past seven years, there’s been notable progress in kidney care services at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in the Philippines through an ISN Sister Renal Centers (SRC) partnership with the Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) in Singapore, jointly supported by the ISN and the Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology (APSN).
The goal was to increase capacity at the NKTI and its partner centers by enhancing kidney care capabilities, establishing sustainable systems, and conducting research and training tailored to local needs.
The impact is clear:
- NKTI’s peritoneal dialysis (PD) program has expanded significantly, supported by dedicated data monitoring and quality improvement systems
- A specialized glomerulonephritis (GN) clinic now provides advanced care for complex cases
- Both PD and GN handbooks have been developed as quick reference guides for clinicians
- NKTI’s reach has extended across the Philippines through masterclasses and regional training sessions, helping raise standards of care in underserved areas
Delegates at the GN Masterclass held in 2024
The partnership has also advanced research and education. NKTI physicians presented joint research with TTSH — “Epidemiology of glomerulonephritis in Southeast Asia: The GN SPECIAL (Glomerulonephritis – Singapore – Philippines Epidemiology Cohorts in Adults) study” — at the ISN World Congress of Nephrology 2019. In addition, they participated in fellow exchanges to help train the next generation of nephrologist and secured an ISN Fellowship to train at TTSH in Singapore.
Both centers remain committed to sustaining their collaboration and forming an ISN-APSN SRC trio-partnership with the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Centre, which was accepted into the SRC program this year. In addition, NKTI and TTSH will continue to work together to expand educational activities, co-develop research initiatives, and strengthen professional ties among kidney care providers. This success story is a powerful example of how collaborative support from the ISN and the APSN can advance kidney care services and improve patient outcomes.
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