Kidney disease is one of the most expensive illnesses to treat. On top of that, healthcare dollars are increasingly shrinking. In developed countries, much of the cost can be covered by medical insurance. In developing countries however, the lack of resources and funds means that treatment might not even be available as an option especially in the rural areas.

Without funds, resources and expertise, very few developing countries have been able to establish independent non-profit kidney healthcare programs.

There is a desperate shortage of trained nurses and dialysis care providers in developing countries to attend to the needs of kidney patients.

Without the urgent funds needed, no healthcare or education programs can be made available to the patient and the public. Education in prevention and awareness of early detection is vital for understanding ways to prevent kidney disease, and in the long term will benefit the public at large.

In response to the plight of kidney failure victims in developing countries, who have limited or no access to healthcare facilities, the National Kidney Foundation Singapore established the World Kidney Fund. To offer and support programs that empower renal communities in these countries to establish and improve their own sustainable non-profit renal healthcare programs.

Through the World Kidney Fund’s programs, we hope to encourage the development and growth of the non-profit renal healthcare sector in these countries, which would make affordable treatment more accessible to needy patients.