NKF steps up public health education programme

SINGAPORE: The National Kidney Foundation is stepping up its public health education programme with the launch of the NKF Kidney Discovery Centre.

Visitors to the centre can learn more about the functions of the kidneys, kidney disease and the plight of kidney patients through interactive, hands-on exhibits.

The centre was officially opened by Minister of State for Health, Dr Amy Khor on Tuesday morning.

Occupying about 300 sqm at NKF's headquarters in Kim Keat, the S$1.1 million centre is the first-of-its-kind in Southeast Asia.

NKF said it strongly believes that early education on kidney diseases and their treatments should be instituted from a young age so that these conditions can be clarified early.

In the long-term, it is hoped that the general public as well as potential patients and their families would be better informed of kidney diseases and treatment options so that they can help to prevent kidney failure as well as support those who develop kidney failure.

Over 70 per cent of kidney failure cases in Singapore are due to diabetes, ageing, hypertension and chronic inflammation of the kidneys.

About 5,000 primary, upper secondary, tertiary students, teachers and organisations have visited the centre since it opened in January last year.