NKF Convenes National Experts at the 18th Annual Dialysis Conference (ADC 2025) to Advance Kidney Health

Last Saturday, I was at One World Hotel in Petaling Jaya for the 18th Annual Dialysis Conference (ADC 2025) by the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF). NKF successfully held its ADC 2025 on 11-12 October 2025, and the conference was officiated by Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, Minister of Health Malaysia, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening renal care services and supporting innovation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) management.

“Kidney disease continues to place a significant burden on patients, families, and our healthcare system. The Ministry of Health remains committed to improving early detection, prevention, and treatment services, while also fostering collaboration with partners such as NKF to ensure patients have access to quality and sustainable care,” said Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, Minister of Health (fourth from left) officiating the launch of ADC 2025, joined on stage by distinguished guests and representatives from the Ministry of Health Malaysia and the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF).

Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, Minister of Health (centre), addressing the press conference, flanked by Yang Berbahagia Dr. Izzuna Mudla binti Ghazali, Deputy Director (Senior), Medical Development Division, MOH (left), and Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Dr. Zaki Morad bin Mohd Zaher, Chairman of NKF (right).

Themed “INNOVATE, ELEVATE, TRANSFORM,” the two-day conference gathered a multidisciplinary audience of nephrologists, doctors, nurses, dialysis centre managers, medical assistants, and allied health professionals. The programme included plenaries, symposia, and forums highlighting critical areas such as the future of CKD and dialysis care in Malaysia, advances in kidney transplantation, green nephrology, vascular access, peritoneal dialysis, vaccination, and patient quality of life.

A major highlight was the HIV & CKD Symposium, exploring HAART treatment, stigma, and the outlook for HIV-positive patients requiring dialysis and transplantation. The conference also featured sessions on the physical, spiritual, and emotional adjustment of dialysis patients, reflecting a holistic approach to renal care.

ADC 2025 comes at a pivotal moment, following the historic adoption of the World Health Assembly Resolution 78 (WHA78) in May 2025, which places kidney disease on the World Health Organization’s Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) agenda for the first time.

“The fight against chronic kidney disease requires not only clinical excellence but also global solidarity. The WHA78 resolution reinforces the importance of prevention, innovation, and access to care. At NKF, we are committed to translating these aspirations into action for the benefit of patients in Malaysia,” said Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Dr. Zaki Morad bin Mohamed Zaher, Chairman of NKF.ADC 2025 attracted over 500 delegates, fostering lively exchanges of ideas and interdisciplinary collaboration. The success of this year’s conference marks another milestone in NKF’s efforts to shape the future of dialysis and renal care in Malaysia.

These are the key facts of CKD in Malaysia:

•    Estimated 15% of Malaysian adults have chronic kidney disease (~2.5 million people) – Study by National Health and Morbidity Survey (NKMS) 2019.

•    Dialysis patients in Malaysia: over 50,000 – Malaysian Dialysis and Transplant Registry 2023.

•    New dialysis cases per year: 10,000 – MDTR 2023.

•    Kidney transplants performed per year: ~500–600 – MDTR 2023.

•    Economic burden: Dialysis costs ~RM60,000–RM70,000 per patient per year.

On 23 May 2025, the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) adopted a landmark resolution to reduce the global burden of kidney disease — the first time kidney health has been formally recognised within the WHO NCD agenda.

Through this, CKD is recognised as a major public health issue alongside cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory disease. It aligns with SDG Targets 3.4 (reduce premature mortality from NCDs) and 3.8 (achieve universal health coverage). Calls on countries to strengthen prevention, early detection, and treatment of kidney disease. It will open opportunities for global resource mobilisation, policy development, and integrated care strategies. NKF Malaysia is committed to advancing kidney health in alignment with WHA78 and supporting the Ministry of Health in its national CKD strategies.

You can find out more info about the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia by visiting their official website: www.nkf.org.my

.: Peace Out :.