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The ISN Continuing Medical Education (CME) Program continues to support regional and national nephrology meetings that respond to local educational needs. From hands-on workshops to specialist-led sessions, these events have strengthened practical skills, shared expertise, and built kidney care capacity across diverse settings.

Delegates at the “Pediatric Dialysis: Ins & Outs” workshop in Bangladesh, supported by the ISN CME Program

 

Bangladesh: Hands-on workshop strengthens pediatric kidney care

In April 2026, the ISN CME Program supported two speakers, Rukshana Shroff (UK) and Rajiv Sinha (India), to present at the workshop “Pediatric Dialysis: Ins & Outs” in Bangladesh. The training focused on hands-on pediatric kidney care, including the introduction of newly available devices, while giving trainees the opportunity to engage directly with speakers. Participants practiced key techniques and explored approaches that could be applied in local and peripheral centers, helping spark greater interest in nephrology among pediatricians.

Participants observe a hands-on demonstration of an automated peritoneal dialysis cycler during the workshop in Bangladesh

According to Afroza Begum, one of the event organizers, few peripheral centers can practice acute peritoneal dialysis (PD) in their institutions. Despite not yet having access to PD fluids, participants were taught the basics of an automated peritoneal dialysis cycler. Several peripheral healthcare centers are now expected to begin practicing acute PD, with support from the Bangladesh Renal Association.

The organizers hope to develop the workshop into a regular training program to involve more nephrologists across Bangladesh in pediatric kidney and dialysis care.

 

Philippines: Strengthening clinical knowledge and international collaboration

The ISN also supported Sunita Bavanandan (Malaysia), Marjorie Foo, and Jason Choo (both from Singapore) to present at the Philippine Society of Nephrology’s 46th Annual Convention in Mandaluyong in April. This support helped strengthen the convention’s scientific program, delivered to 1500 delegates, which combined practical clinical updates with sessions on emerging topics in kidney care.

Delegates follow the scientific program at the Philippine Society of Nephrology’s 46th Annual Convention

With a strong focus on clinical relevance, the meeting offered delegates updated knowledge they could take back to their institutions, supporting evidence-based kidney care across the Philippines. Topics ranged from electrolytes, acid-based disorders, and KDIGO guideline updates to artificial intelligence, precision medicine, and multidisciplinary kidney care, alongside workshops on critical care and point-of-care ultrasound.

Delegates and ISN staff at the convention in the Philippines

One of the meeting organizers, Ricardo Francisco, commented, “ISN support strengthened the scientific quality and international character of the meeting by facilitating participation from expert faculty and reinforcing the global relevance of the educational content. The support enriched the program, added credibility to the activity, and allowed Filipino delegates to engage beyond the local setting.”

 

Botswana: Education tailored to local kidney care needs

The 4th Botswana International Renal Congress, “The Silent Pandemic: Preventing the Chronic Kidney Disease Burden,” took place in Gaborone in May 2026. The ISN supported program. The event opened with a hands-on preconference designed to build participants’ peritoneal dialysis skills from centers across Botswana.

Delegates rotated through five interactive stations covering peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion, continuous ambulatory and automated peritoneal dialysis (CAPD; APD), technology in nephrology, and pediatric resuscitation.

Delegates follow a demonstration at one of the interactive stations at the 4th Botswana International Renal Congress

The sessions reflected local priorities and constraints: CAPD was presented as the more commonly used local option, while APD, though less accessible due to cost, was introduced to help participants understand both approaches. Other stations explored how digital tools, remote monitoring, and accurate recordkeeping can improve patient safety and outcomes, as well as how timely fluid resuscitation and vascular access can help prevent acute renal impairment in children.

The wider conference connected these practical skills to broader system needs, including chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevention, integration of kidney disease into primary care, PD-first strategies for Africa, pediatric nephrology in resource-limited settings, telehealth for rural and underserved areas, and CKD registries for research and planning.

Abid M. Sheikh, member of the Nephrology Society of Botswana, presenting at the congress

 

Côte d’Ivoire: Congress extends clinical nephrology training across the region

The 7th Congress of Nephrology, organized by the Ivorian Society of Nephrology,  took place in Grand-Bassam in May. The event brought together 401 delegates from 18 countries, including pediatricians, nurses, and biomedical technicians, as well as nephrologists. The ISN supported Michel Jadoul (Belgium) to attend the congress, adding an international perspective to a program shaped around regional clinical priorities.

Delegates at the 7th Congress of Nephrology, organized by the Ivorian Society of Nephrology

The program, delivered in French, focused on clinically relevant topics, covering glomerular nephrology, diabetes and CKD, and cardiovascular diseases. According to one of the meeting organizers, Hubert Yao, delegates were expected to leave with practical insights into advances in laboratory testing for some glomerulopathies, nephrology challenges specific to tropical contexts, the growing role of SGLT2 inhibitors in CKD care, and the increasing relevance of artificial intelligence in kidney care.

Practical training was also a key feature, with workshops on catheter insertion in pediatric and adult care and a guided visit to a hemodialysis center led by a nurse speaker.

 

Could your region benefit from tailored nephrology training?

From practical skills to guideline-based learning, each event focused on targeted education for local kidney capacity. Have you identified a kidney care need in your region? Apply to the ISN CME Program to bring tailored nephrology education to your community.