The NKF Board acts in the best interest of the NKF with the aim of improving the quality of care for patients who are afflicted with kidney diseases. It also ensures that there are adequate resources for the operations and programmes of the NKF and that such resources are effectively and efficiently managed; that there are processes in place to ensure that NKF complies with all applicable laws, rules and regulations; and there is an appropriate code of conduct which upholds the core values of the NKF and processes to ensure compliance with the code.

The Board strives to ensure that Board members as a group has core competencies in areas such as accounting and finance, management, law, medicine, strategic planning and technology and that it incorporates a degree of diversity. The Board believes that to be effective, it should not be too large, whilst at the same time ensuring that there is a sufficient range and diversity of expertise and viewpoints.

Last Updated ( Monday, 15th September 2008 )

NKF Circle of Hearts, launched on June 26, 2007, is the first volunteer programme of the new NKF. It is one of its initiatives to inspire kidney patients to rise above their adversities so that they can lead a reasonable quality of life. By including various volunteering activities as part of the patients’ healing process, the NKF hopes to help them cope better with their long-term illness. The Circle of Hearts consists of the following programmes:

Befrienders Programme – Offering Friendship and Hope

There are needy patients who are lonely or need a listening ear. The NKF introduced the Befrienders Programme to provide an opportunity to those who wish to volunteer their services to the NKF, where our patients can receive more social support. The Befrienders who have joined this programme is bringing joy and hope to kidney patients at our dialysis centres.

How to be a Befriender of the NKF

As a befriender, you can befriend a patient either at the dialysis centre or at the patient’s home. You can do so one-to-one or form a group to befriend a patient. The NKF will provide you with training to acquire specific skills to raise your ability and confidence in being a Befriender. Knowledge of kidney disease and nutrition for kidney patients will also be covered. The NKF will match you with a suitable patient and you can start your befriending service to the patient, preferably for at least six months. To ensure better outcomes, regular visits (at least once a month) are needed. There will be regular feedback between you and the NKF, so that necessary adjustments can be made.

Befriending Services include:

• Befriending/comforting and providing psychosocial/emotional/peer support
• Recreational activities/outings
• Escort to the dialysis centre
• Home visits e.g. house keeping

Enrichment Programme – Imparting New Skills

The NKF has also developed an enrichment programme where volunteers may leverage on their own skills and interests to help patients acquire new skills and hobbies such as computer usage, cooking, gardening, art & craft and music. Through this programme, they can pass their time more meaningfully, thereby enriching their lives.

Adoption Programme

This is a 6-month programme to assist our neediest patients’ families with basic food provisions as well as emotional and mental support through friendship during their home visits. During the course of the programme, for once-a-month, suitable volunteers will adopt and help purchase $25 worth of food provisions with the food vouchers provided.

What you have to do as a Volunteer:

• Sign up as a family or teams of at least 2 members
• (Schedule in July)
• Attend the Programme Orientation on 2 Feb (Sat) or 3 Feb (Sun), 2pm – 3pm (choose any one session)
• You will be assigned to a needy patient
• Visit the patient family once a month with $25 worth of basic food provisions
• Befriend them, build friendship and hope

Interested?

To join the NKF Circle of Hearts, please call 6299 0200 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or you can download the form .

What are kidneys?

Human kidneys are bean-shaped organs located near the middle of the back on both sides where they are protected by lower ribs and cushioned by the surrounding muscles and fat. Each kidney is about the size of a clenched fist and weighs about 150 grams.

Each kidney has about one million nephrons, which are tiny, filtering units. In the nephrons, capillaries or tiny blood vessels intertwine with tubules, which are urine-carrying tubes. The nephrons make it possible for the kidneys to filter the body's entire blood supply every two minutes.

What do kidneys do?

Kidneys mainly process the waste products and excess fluid in your blood. The waste products result from our body's metabolic processes. In addition, waste is also a by-product of the food we eat. Our body uses food for energy and self-repair. After it has absorbed what it needs from the food, the remaining waste products are sent to the blood.

A complicated chemical exchange takes place as the blood is filtered by the nephrons. The filtering process removes the waste, toxins and excess water from the blood to form urine. Urine flows from the kidneys to the ureters and then stored in the bladder until we urinate.

In addition, the kidneys regulate the chemical balance in our body. They release three important hormones: Erythropoietin (eh-RITH-ro-Poyeh-tin) aids in red blood cell formation, Renin (REE-nin) maintains a normal blood pressure and the active form of Vitamin D, which helps keep our bones strong.

End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Kidney Failure is defined as a state when the kidneys do not function properly or sufficiently, resulting in the accumulation of waste products and toxic materials. When toxic wastes build in the blood, they may cause permanent and irreversible damage to body cells, tissues and organs.

Continuing to bring the new NKF to higher levels, the Foundation launched its first volunteer programme - NKF Circle of Hearts - today. This initiative is yet a start of another new chapter for the new NKF and is a manifestation of its desire to continue opening its doors to Singaporeans by inviting them into the NKF and engaging them in meaningful volunteer opportunities. All this is targeted at delivering holistic care to needy kidney patients and inspiring them to achieve and maintain a reasonable quality of life.

The NKF Volunteer Committee was formed in December 2006 to drive this volunteer programme and with its guidance, the new NKF is indeed proud that many corporate and individual volunteers have come forward to help us in this worthy endeavour.

Ms Poh Mui Hoon, Chairman of the Volunteer Committee said that the Committee could not do it alone. She added, “We need the support of the community and our enthusiastic volunteers. I encourage all individuals, corporate or community organisations in Singapore to come forth to join us in the Circle of Hearts programme to make life easier for all our NKF patients.”

To ensure that the volunteers are equipped with the appropriate information and skills for their volunteering activities in NKF, SIM University, as one of NKF’s corporate volunteers, will be doing its part by providing training courses tailored to meet the different needs of different groups of volunteers.

The President, SIM University, Professor Cheong Hee Kiat said, “As a people’s university, UniSIM actively seeks out niche areas in which the university can serve society, e.g. in the areas of counseling and social work through its School of Human Development and Social Services. Through our programmes, we hope to get people engaged in the community and in the process, help others and contribute to the needs of the society in which we live.”

Besides SIM University, 13 other corporate and individual volunteers were presented with a certificate of appreciation by the NKF at the ceremony for their voluntary efforts towards the NKF’s cause. They were also acknowledged and thanked by patients at the ceremony who handed out flowers as a token of their appreciation.

Treat yourself to a free foot reflexology session and do your bit for charity!

Tiong Bahru Plaza is hosting 'Fanatic Feet', the first charity foot reflexology event to be held in Singapore.

Members of the public can look forward to therapeutic foot reflexology sessions at no cost.

Tiong Bahru Plaza will donate $15 to the NKF Children's Medical Fund (CMF) for every 30 min session.

The management of Tiong Bahru Plaza also hopes to set a record of sorts by aiming to hold the largest number of reflexology sessions in a shopping mall in Singapore.

This meaningful project is supported by the Institute of Ryo Shur Health International, which will be sending 50 masseurs to the event.


Details of the event are as follows:

Date: Sunday, 19 October, 2003
Time: 12pm- 3pm
Venue: Tiong Bahru Plaza Atrium



Should you require more information about this event, please contact:

Chow Keat Yeng
Executive, Public Relations
National Kidney Foundation Singapore
Tel: 63515 477
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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The NKF Children's Medical Fund

Since 1993, the NKF has been supporting young kidney patients' daily 10-hour long dialysis sessions, medication and post-transplant costs. Now, the NKF has expanded our life-saving mission to children and youths suffering from other chronic and acute illnesses that require extensive medical attention and costly medication. Hence, the NKF Children's Medical Fund (CMF) was launched on Children's Day, 1 October 2001, by Mrs Goh Chok Tong, Patron of the NKF.

The NKF Children's Medical Fund provides crucial subsidies for expensive treatments and rehabilitative care for over 2,900 chronically ill children and their families, giving them the priceless chance to face a brighter future, together. Beneficiaries include infants, children and adolescents up to 19 years of age.

The NKF Children's Medical Fund works in partnership with local paediatric hospitals supporting needy young patients under the following medical programmes:

1. Congenital heart diseases
2. Kidney failure
3. Brittle bones diseases
4. Childhood diabetic nephropathy
5. Paediatric Epilepsy
6. Growth hormone therapy
7. Child-Life Rehabilitation Therapy

The Fund is also committed to the annual operating expenses of the Shaw-NKF Children's Kidney Centre (CKC), the first of its kind in Southeast Asia providing one-stop, state-of-the-art medical facilities to children and young adults with kidney, liver and endocrine related diseases.

We are committed to safeguard our children's health so that they may grow up and live to fulfil their destiny. This is our promise to all parents. Help us reach out to more needy children and their parents by referring them to this Fund. Together, we can save our children's lives.

For more information about the NKF Children's Medical Fund, please visit us at www.cmf.nkfs.org . You may also email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact us at 63515 173.

The legendary Pelé will visit the National Kidney Foundation on December 4, 2001 to meet with patients undergoing treatment for kidney-related illnesses.

 Pelé's visit will serve as a morale booster for kidney patients under the care of the NKF. The highlight of the visit includes a tour of the Tay Choon Hye - NKF Dialysis Centre where Pele will be introduced to the NKF's expert-formulated Patient Fitness Programme. Joining forces with Pelé to motivate the patients towards leading fit and full lifestyles through exercise is Mrs. Goh Chok Tong, NKF Patron and the team from MasterCard International.

This special occasion has been organised in conjunction with MasterCard International, a friend and supporter of the NKF's life-saving mission.

Beyond providing patients with high quality dialysis treatments at its state-of-the-art dialysis centres, the NKF programme also includes an acclaimed multi-faceted rehabilitation programme with an exercise and fitness component where Occupational Therapists and Physical Function Coordinators assess and prescribe a fitness regimen to help patients achieve optimal health and fitness status.

This includes the unique NKF Stretch & Flex programme where patients perform exercises to specially-produced videos during their first hour of dialysis. Better rehabilitated patients advance onto the Strength Training as well as Cardiovascular Fitness Training programmes.

According to Ajay Bhalla, Vice President and Country Manager for Singapore, MasterCard International, "MasterCard is very well known for its sponsorships, both sports and philanthropic. Earlier this year, MasterCard was able to work with the National Kidney Foundation to present the 2001 NKF Charity Show. We are thrilled to be able to continue our support to raise awareness of the importance of exercise as a means of prevention and when undergoing treatment for kidney related illnesses with Pelé's visit to the NKF."

Says NKF CEO T T Durai, " The NKF is grateful that MasterCard has chosen our patients to benefit from this interaction with Pelé during his short visit to Singapore. Pelé is a global ambassador of sport and fitness and his presence here will certainly be an inspiration to our patients."

Members of the Media are invited to cover the visit on December 4, 2001 at 2:15 p.m. at the NKF Centre, 81 Kim Keat Road, Singapore 328836.

NKF Hougang-Punggol Dialysis Centre brick-laying ceremony was held on July 15 2007 at Block 628, Hougang 8, marking the start of the building construction. This is the first NKF’s diaysis centre which saw a community of residents, grassroots leaders and religious groups coming together to help build a Centre. All previous NKF dialysis centres were sponsored by an individual or a single corporate or religious entity. Officiating at the ceremony was Guest-of-Honour, Mr George Yeo, Minister for Foreign Affairs and MP for Aljunied GRC. During the ceremony, 9 organisations were acknowledged for each pledging to donate a dialysis machine. NKF Chairman Mr Gerard Ee said during the ceremony that every NKF Dialysis Centre belongs to the communities in which they exist. He hoped that the local community could contribute back towards the NKF through volunteering and fund-raising activities while receiving services from the NKF. The Centre will have a capacity to accommodate 16 dialysis stations, which can serve 96 dialysis patients and is expected to start operations early next year.

• The patient is currently dialysing at Thong Teck Sian Tong Lian Sin Sia-NKF Dialysis Centre (Woodlands 1). Since December 09, the dialysis centre sponsor, Thong Teck Sian Tong Lian Sin Sia has been generously sponsoring the miracle twin babies’ milk powder, diapers, and other essential items (approximately $300 per month) and will continue to do so until the babies are old enough to do without these. The commitment from the temple, is one of the best gifts in supporting the family.
• The NKF has also helped Mdm Nenamah receive financial assistance from Barker Road Methodist Church. The church has pledged $150 per month for a period of six months starting from December 09. After which they will review and decide if the assistance will continue.
• In addition, the NKF has also helped Mdm Nenamah to apply for financial assistance to MUIS (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura).
• Mdm Nenamah is currently paying $0 co-payment for her dialysis and is also receiving a $30 food voucher monthly.

The NKF Planned Giving programme started in late 1998. Through it, you can pledge your property, CPF, savings or life insurance policy to the NKF. The pledges take effect only after your death. Property can be pledged through a will; CPF savings through a CPF nomination, and life insurance policies through your insurance companies.

A planned gift to the NKF will help to ensure the future of the services and programmes we provide in Singapore.

What is Planned Giving?

Life treats us all in different ways. Some are born with all material comforts and live life to the fullest. Others are born in trying circumstances and are destined to live a life full of struggles. If you have been fortunate enough in this world, in one way or another, Planned Giving is your way of saying thank you to the society. It is your gift to the world, especially to the needy and the unfortunate of society.

The term planned giving refers to charitable gifts that are arranged with forethought and planning and are executed over an extended period of time or at some point in the future. Also, Planned Giving is the process of strategic transfer of assets from a donor to a non-profit organisation. It can take many forms and it offers many options to the donor. Planned gifts might include gifts through your will, charitable gift annuities, gifts of life insurance, CPF, and charitable trusts.

Planned gifts can be custom-designed to provide optimum benefits for both the donor and the registered charity. It usually comes from a donor's assets rather than income, and can either be outright or deferred, meaning they could be arranged now and/or be fulfilled later.

Why is Planned Giving Important?

Planned giving is important because a planned gift to the NKF will help to ensure the future of our life-saving services and programmes. This support enables us to make improvements in existing programmes and to develop new programmes that might help a larger section of the society. Planned gifts are a popular method of giving because they can provide powerful tax benefits and sources of income. The support you provide to us should be a part of your overall financial plans.

When should One Start on Planned Giving?

No one wants to think about one's own death. But a little time spent sorting out one's affairs now will go a long way to save one from a lot of uncertainty and heartache.

Many people assume that after their death, all their money and possessions will be transferred automatically to their spouse or relatives. Sadly, this isn't always the case. If you die without making a will, the Government will decide how your estate or wealth is to be divided. This often prolongs an already painful time and can cause unnecessary distress and upset.

Making a will puts you in control of your estate and allows you to make the decisions about your possessions for your loved ones. It is the only way to make sure that your money and your belongings go to the people you care about. Apart from helping your family and friends, you are assured of peace of mind when you make your will. It is therefore a very positive and worthwhile thing to do.

How do I Make a Planned Gift?

You can arrange a gift in a will or living trust. Many people set aside a certain dollar amount. Others leave a percentage of their estate or any assets left over after their family has been provided for. Some people choose to donate cash, securities, real or personal property. A few also give life insurance policies, or funds from a retirement account or other financial asset.

Anyone can leave a gift. "Estate" is simply a word used to describe any money, property, or personal belongings that one owns at the time of one's death. Most people leave an estate when they die, even though they may not have had a great deal of wealth.

A gift in memory of a loved one is a wonderful way to recognise someone who has made a difference in your life. Contact the organisation that you wish to benefit through your memorial gift to discuss the options. Such gifts can be arranged in your will. You simply need to make it clear that the gift is given in memory of a particular person or for a specific use.

If you have a professional advisor like a financial planner, lawyer, an accountant or insurance agent, do discuss with him or her about leaving a gift. They can tell you the tax benefits of planned gifts. You can also contact your designated non-profit organisation as they have the know-how to help you achieve your goal.

Wills

A gift by will is known as a bequest or a legacy. A bequest is, in every sense of the word, the ultimate gift. Bequests can either be specific or residual. For example, providing for the National Kidney Foundation in your will can be as simple as including the following sentence: "I give, devise and bequeath to the National Kidney Foundation ____% of my estate to be used for its general purposes".

CPF

A donor can nominate the NKF as a beneficiary of his CPF savings. A CPF nomination is a legal document whereby a person states how he wants his CPF savings, the insured sum under Dependants' Protection Scheme (if any) and shares in an approved corporation e.g. Sing Tel shares, to be distributed in the event of his death.

CPF nomination forms can be obtained from any of the CPF regional offices. The donor in the presence of two adult witnesses must sign the nomination. Also a marriage makes any earlier nomination invalid. One has to change his/her nomination if he marries or remarries. And, a divorce does not automatically change the beneficiary. A divorcee must submit a fresh nomination to change the beneficiary.

Insurance Policies

A donor can assign his/her insurance policies to the NKF. When a paid-up insurance policy no longer serves its original purpose, you can still put the policy to good use by designating the National Kidney Foundation as a beneficiary. There are generally four types of insurance products or policies:

• A Term Policy will pay the sum assured when the life insured (the individual) suffers from a total or permanent disability or the individual dies. If the plan covers major illnesses as well, the sum assured will also be payable on the positive diagnosis of any of the 30 major illnesses.
• An Endowment Policy is a life insurance that pays a sum of money after an agreed period of time, or on the death or total and permanent disability of the policyholder.
• The Whole Life Policy offers insurance protection that lasts for the entire life of the assured.
• An Annuity Plan is an arrangement where the annuity owner will pay a lump sum premium and in return receive a regular income, over his lifetime. Currently, a life annuity can be bought using the Minimum Sum Scheme of the CPF Board. The Minimum Sum is the basic amount of money that an individual is required to leave in his/her CPF account.

Nutrition and Dialysis

Diet plays a vital role in dialysis patients’ rehabilitative care. A well-balanced diet is necessary for them to stay fit as their kidneys are no longer functioning at its full capacity i.e. to get rid of the waste products and fluid from their blood.

To strive towards being healthy and happy dialysis patients, they would need to:

• Eat the right kind and amount of food on a daily basis
• Take their medication correctly as prescribed by the doctor
• Comply to the hemodialysis treatment, for instance, not “miss” any dialysis session.

Dialysis patients require a much higher intake of protein than the average person. Too little protein and calorie intake often leads to protein energy malnutrition. To achieve good dialysis outcome, dialysis patients need to closely and careful monitor their diet so as to help control the waste products and fluids accumulated between dialysis treatments. It is essential for dialysis patients to have the right amount of protein, calories, fluids, vitamins and minerals each day.

A Healthy Diet for a dialysis patient is:

• adequate in protein
• adequate in calories
• low to moderate in potassium
• low in sodium
• low in phosphorus
• controlled in fluids

Protein

Protein is essential for building and repairing of muscles in the body and daily growth. Protein can be divided into two categories: high and low quality. For dialysis diet, high-quality protein, for example, meat, poultry, fish and egg whites are more desirable. Most dairy products such as yogurt, milk and cheese also contain high-quality protein.

During dialysis, some amount of proteins are lost and therefore patients require a higher protein intake compared to people who are not on dialysis. Eating the right amount of protein will help dialysis patients stay fit as insufficient protein intake could result in weight loss, reducing the ability to fight infections and thus , leading to malnutrition.

REMEMBER, RIGHT KIND and CORRECT AMOUNT of protein is vital for dialysis patients to stay healthy. Protein food contains phosphate. Therefore it is very IMPORTANT that dialysis patients take their phosphate binders with ALL their meals.

Potassium

A mineral that is important for the nerves and muscles functions, potassium needs to be maintained at a safe amount in the blood. Excessive potassium level in the blood can cause muscle weakness, abnormal heart rates and in extreme cases, heart failure.

Since dialysis can only remove a fixed amount of potassium, it is crucial to control the amount accumulated through patients’ dietary intake. Potassium is found mainly in fruits and vegetables, with small quantities found in nuts, dry beans and dairy and meat products. It is important to avoid foods that are high in potassium and to take in moderation food that have low to moderate content.

LOW POTASSIUM

MODERATE POTASSIUM

HIGH POTASSIUM

*Potassium can be reduced during the preparation of vegetables (soaking) after leaking process the content will be lower than pre-preparation, therefore it categorized with higher potassium content.

Phosphate

In kidney failure, blood phosphate level rises and when it begins to build up in the blood, calcium is drawn from the bone. The calcium phosphate product forms hard deposits in patients’ tissues leading to skin itchiness, joint pain, eye irritation and hardens their blood vessels. Overtimes, patients’ bones become weak and brittle which may lead to fractures and constant pain.

Most food contain even a small amount of phosphate and patients must REMEMBER to take their phosphate binders with meals at all times. Phosphate binders, are an effective way in preventing phosphate from entering the bloodstream when taken together with meals. Generally, this tablet is prescribed in helping to prevent renal bone disease.

Food rich in phosphorus that patients need to avoid when they have high serum phosphate level include:

• All sorts of seafood and sardines, anchovies (ikan bilis), dried shrimp paste
• Dairy products e.g. milk, cheese, yogurt
• Bean products e.g. all forms of nuts, seeds, bean soup
• Malted drinks e.g. Milo, Horlick
• Oats, cereals
• Chocolate
• Organ meats e.g. liver, intestine
• Bone-based soups e.g. chicken feet and pork bone
• Colas

Sodium

Sodium is naturally found in all different types of foods, but the common source is table salt and different types of bottled sauces used during cooking. Sodium is like-hydrated sponge that absorbs fluid and makes you thirsty and wanting to drink more.

As a result, fluid weight gain arises and thus, an increase in blood pressure can be observed. Sodium restriction is critical for patients and thus helps to maintain their normal fluid balance.

To help restrict salt intake:

• Limit the salt added to your cooking
• AVOID using stock cubes and gravy browning e.g. Bovril, Marmite
• AVOID taking bottled chicken extracts
• Read labels on processed foods and AVOID items that has more than 250 mg of sodium per serving
• Minimise the usage of canned food. If you do choose to use them, do drain the brine.
• Try using fresh herbs and WHOLE spices in replace of salt in cooking
• Try to use fresh lime or lemon juice or vinegar to flavour food

Fluids

Dialysis patients can no longer excrete large quantities of fluid consumed. Excess fluid will be retained in the body resulting in overloading of the blood circulation. Symptoms such as shortness of breath, high blood pressure and swelling of the legs can occur. Thus, it is important that fluid intake be restricted.

REMINDER: Dialysis will only remove restricted amount of fluids and the remainder will accumulate in the body. It is important that dialysis patients follow the fluid regime designed by your nurse or doctor.

Daily allowance for fluid intake can vary from 500 to 1000 ml per day, depending on the patient’s urine output, if any. Limited urine output does not indicate dehydration in dialysis patients. However, it means that it is an indication of further deterioration of kidney functions.

Your daily fluid allowance includes plain water, tea, coffee, milk gravy, soup and porridge. Other fluids that are liquid at room temperature such as ice-cube, ice cream, jellies are considered as fluid too.

• Berita Harian
• U-Weekly

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CURRENT RESERVES

As at October 31, 2005, the estimated reserves of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) stood at $260.3 million. Out of this amount, only $206.2 million is available for the NKF's dialysis operations. Details of the estimated reserves are as follows:

HOW LONG WILL THE CURRENT RESERVES LAST?

In computing how long the current level of reserves will last, the following assumptions and factors have been taken into consideration:

(a) The projected income from the NKF's flagship fund-raising programme, LifeDrops, where donors contribute to the NKF each month through Giro or credit card;

(b) The subsidy grant by the Ministry of Health from 2006;

(c) The projected increase in patient load based on past trend;

(d) The estimated medical and operating costs and the projected increases in these costs; and

(e) The exclusion of all fund raising income and expenditure assuming no fund raising activities are carried out.


LifeDrops Donors
As at October 31, 2005, the NKF has 248,532 LifeDrops donors contributing a total of about $1.7 million a month.

Patient Load
The NKF's patient load keeps increasing year-on-year. In FY2003, its dialysis patient number was 1,495. As at October 31, 2005, it has 1,862 dialysis patients under its care. It receives about 300 new applications a year to its dialysis programme. It is anticipated that with the recent reduction in dialysis fees, there will be a further increase in applications. There is also an urgent need to build two more dialysis centres.



COMPUTED YEARS OF RESERVES

Based on the following scenarios:
1. Freezing of active fund-raising activities,
2. Projected increase in patient load;
3. Increasing medical and operating costs due to inflation and other factors,


If LifeDrops donations do not fall further from the current level: The projected NKF's current reserves will last about 6.7 years .

If there are no LifeDrops donations: The projected NKF's current reserves will last about 4.5 years .



NEED FOR RESUMPTION OF FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES

The above position is untenable for the NKF. Figures taken at the end of 2004 show that the majority of patients on the NKF's haemodialysis programme are likely to survive at least 10 years, and a significant number will survive even longer.

The 10-year survival rate of the NKF's dialysis patients stands at 57 per cent, i.e. slightly more than half of its patients continue to need our dialysis treatment after 10 years.

According to the NKF's Medical Advisory Committee's (MAC) Chairman Associate Professor Evan Lee, with the increasing number of end stage renal failure patients requiring dialysis, it is likely that the number of patients requiring the help of the NKF will increase in the coming years.

Said Associate Professor Lee: “This and the likelihood that survival will improve with improved management options of co-morbidities will mean that number of patients needing support from the NKF will increase in the future. It is not expected that the patients' need for subsidy will diminish with time. It is also expected that transplantation will not significantly affect the increase of the number of patients needing subsidised dialysis.”

The MAC has therefore recommended that the NKF management and Interim Board grow its reserves position to 10 years (since 57 per cent of its patients survive beyond 10 years) and optimally for 15 years from the time the patients are accepted into the programme.

“It also recommends that the NKF plans for an increase in the patients requiring help for dialysis,” said Associate Professor Lee.

There is clearly a need for the NKF to resume the raising of funds with immediate effect. The NKF hopes that its flagship LifeDrops programme will be able to win more support in time. It is currently studying ways to expand the programme and to resume its fund-raising efforts.



NEED FOR CONTINUATION OF PREVENTION AND HEALTH SCREENING PROGRAMME

The NKF has been running a comprehensive prevention and health screening programme to complement its dialysis programme. The prevention programme hopes to reduce the incidence of end-stage kidney disease in the community and reduce the need to establish more dialysis centres which are extremely expensive to run. An analysis of our database of our health screening programme carried out over the last five years have indicated that the prevalence of high blood pressure and diabetes (the 2 commonest causes of end-stage kidney failure) are high. Early intervention and health education for high-risk groups can help prevent the progression of disease and development of complications and end-stage kidney failure.
 


CONCLUSION

The new management and Interim Board of the NKF hope that this press release has helped to clarify the position of the NKF's reserves and how long it will last, and to explain the need for the NKF to resume the raising of funds with immediate effect.

It is imperative that the NKF continues to provide accessible, affordable and quality care to its dialysis patients. In the past four months, the Interim Board has implemented a number of changes:

• Reducing dialysis fee and increasing patient subsidies,
• Improving patient care,
• Establishing a Patient Appeal Committee and Medical Advisory Committee;
• Reducing operating costs and
• Improving its transparency and accountability.

The new management will strive to put out relevant information on a regular and timely basis to help the NKF's stakeholders better understand its operations, and to be more transparent and accountable.

It is the dawn of a new NKF. With proper governance in place and with the support from Singaporeans, the management looks forward to building a premier foundation focusing on haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and organ transplantation.



For more information, please contact:

Michelle Ang
Deputy Director
Communications
National Kidney Foundation

Singapore has the third highest incidence of kidney disease in the world, and its leading causes are diabetes and hypertension. 300,000 Singaporeans, or 9% of the population are suffering from diabetes, which is responsible for 50% of all new cases of kidney failure each year. 27% of the population are suffering from hypertension and 50% of the sufferers are not aware of their condition. Figures from the National Kidney Foundation's (NKF) health screenings over the last year also indicate high incidences of abnormalities among Singaporeans, details of which will be disclosed at the Opening.

This trend affirms the need for quality, yet affordable, follow-up services for these people. Believing in the sanctity of life, the Phoh Kiu Siang T'ng has benevolently donated a generous gift of $1 million to fund the NKF's second Prevention Centre. The Phoh Kiu Siang T'ng - NKF Prevention Centre is a joint effort to undertake the critical task of arresting the escalating number of Singaporeans succumbing to chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes.

It is our pleasure to announce the Opening of this Prevention Centre, details of which follows:

Date : Sunday, 28 September 2003
Time : 3:00pm
Venue : Phoh Kiu Siang T'ng - NKF Prevention Centre Opposite Blk 102, Rivervale Walk (open field
            along Sengkang East Avenue)


Minister for the Environment, Mr Lim Swee Say, will be officiating at the Opening.

There cannot be a more meaningful way to spend a Sunday afternoon than to hear Taiwanese singer Emil Chau Wa Kin crooning songs from his latest album, and at the same time, understanding more about the importance of Prevention. Wa Kin will be making an appearance as the NKF's Prevention Ambassador.

Your journalist and photographer/crew are cordially invited to attend this Prevention Centre Opening.


For more information, please contact:

Chow Keat Yeng
Public Relations Executive
National Kidney Foundation
Tel: 6351 5477
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Beyond Dialysis - Towards Prevention

In 2000, after gaining recognition as the world's first successful not-for-profit subsidised dialysis programme, the NKF adopted prevention as its direction for the new millennium. This came in the wake of the successful pilot programme that started in 1997 and the screening of 100,000 adult Singaporeans that same year. To date, the NKF has reached out to a record number of 812,000 people through its mobile, community and corporate screening programmes.

To take this programme a step further, the NKF established its first Prevention Centre in Clementi last year. The centre aims to help diabetic and hypertension patients better manage their diseases and lessen future incidences of complications like stroke, heart diseases, blindness and kidney failure. The NKF believes that with this strategy, more Singaporeans will be saved from succumbing to the devastation of kidney failure.

Take a step towards Prevention - it can save your life.

1. Annual health screening and medical follow-ups as directed by Restructured Hospital Physicians
2. One time reimbursement for loss of income equivalent to actual loss of income or $5,000 whichever is lower.
3. Reimbursement of Hospitalisation & Surgical insurance premiums (capped at CPF Basic MediShield premiums)
4. Insurance coverage for Group Living Policy based on sum insured of $100,000

NKF Circle of Hearts, launched on June 26, 2007, is the first volunteer programme of the new NKF. It is one of the initiatives to inspire kidney patients to rise above their adversities so that they can lead a reasonable quality of life. By including various volunteering activities as part of the patients’ healing process, NKF hopes to help them cope better with their long-term illness. The Circle of Hearts consists of the following programmes:

Befrienders Programme – Offering Friendship and Hope

There are needy patients who are lonely or need a listening ear so NKF introduced the Befrienders Programme to provide an opportunity to those who wish to volunteer their services to the NKF, where our patients can receive more social support. The Befrienders who have joined this programme are bringing joy and hope to kidney patients at our dialysis centres.

As a Befriender, you can befriend a patient either at the dialysis centre or at the patient’s home. You can do so one-to-one or form a group to befriend a patient. NKF will provide you with training to acquire specific skills to raise your ability and confidence in being a Befriender. Knowledge of kidney disease and nutrition for kidney patients will also be covered. NKF will match you with a suitable patient and you can start your befriending service to the patient, preferably for at least six months. To ensure better outcomes, regular visits (at least once a month) are needed. There will be regular feedback between you and the NKF, so that necessary adjustments can be made.

Befriending Services include:

• Befriending/comforting and providing psychosocial/emotional/peer support
• Recreational activities/outings
• Escort to the dialysis centre
• Home visits e.g. house keeping

Enrichment Programme – Imparting New Skills

The NKF has also developed an enrichment programme where volunteers may leverage on their own skills and interests to help patients acquire new skills and hobbies such as computer usage, cooking, gardening, art & craft and music. Through this programme, patients can pass their time more meaningfully, thereby enriching their lives.

Adoption Programme

This is a 6-month programme to assist our neediest patients’ families with basic food provisions as well as emotional and mental support through friendship during their home visits. During the course of the programme, for once-a-month, suitable volunteers will adopt and help purchase $30 worth of food provisions with the food vouchers provided.

What you have to do as a Volunteer:

• Sign up as a family or teams of at least 2 members
• Attend the Programme Orientation
• You will be assigned to a needy patient
• Visit the patient family once a month with $30 worth of basic food provisions
• Befriend them, build friendship and hope

Interested?

To join the NKF Circle of Hearts, please call 6299 0200, email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or download the form and mail back to NKF at 81 Kim Keat Road, S(328836).

With public support and generous donations from corporate sponsors, the NKF built a network of 24 dialysis centres across Singapore. The centres are carefully planned and especially built which are staffed with specially trained nurses and Biomedical Engineers to ensure that the treatment goes well and patients are well cared for. These centres are:

• Conveniently located in the heartlands
• Equipped with modern and cost-effective dialysis machines
• Adequately staffed with committed and caring nurses

All our patients undergo dialysis three time per week to ensure optimal benefits. To cater to their busy schedule, dialysis treatments are held on Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays or Tuesdays-Thursday-Saturdays and the following periods:

NKF dialysis Centres are located at various places in Singapore. To see more information about a dialysis center, simple click on the marker on the map.

To see a list of NKF dialysis centres, please click here.

What the new Board has changed and improved in NKF in the last four months?
• Enhancing corporate governance and accountability
• Improving patient care
• Reducing operating costs and passing on the savings to patients
• Improving transparency
• Setting the new NKF vision and mission



5. ENHANCING CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

5.1 Organisational structure changes:

The new Board and Management have revised the NKF's organisational structures to achieve a high standard of corporate governance and accountability.

5.1.1. Each new Board member is now tasked with a specific area to look into. The Board has met weekly, whenever possible, because of the scale of the tasks facing it in the initial period.

5.1.2. The new Board and CEO have decided to dismantle the previous NKF's flat organisational structure, where 48 heads of departments (HODs) reported directly to the CEO. It was felt that such a structure would unduly concentrate power in one man.

Another observation was the absence of a director or senior manager in the HR and Finance Departments. While the NKF has a Finance manager, the last Director of Finance resigned in 2002. The last HR manager had resigned in March 2005, and the former Chairman stood in as HR HOD for a few months. The NKF now has a Finance Manager and a new HR Director has joined the Foundation on November 28, 2005.

In the new organisation structure, several departments were either closed down or merged. The new structure has 24 departments/units reporting to six divisional leaders. Together with the CEO, the six divisional leaders form the Management Committee which now runs NKF's daily operations.


5.2 New Human Resource policies:

The new NKF has instituted proper human resource policies to ensure that there is clarity so that staff can objectively and consistently comply with the policies.

5.2.1. For example, there were no clear guidelines on study or conference leave. It was left to the discretion of the former senior management to approve such leave. There were no clear guidelines on the amount of sponsorship each staff was entitled to when traveling overseas for duties or conference. It was left to the staff to claim and for the senior management to approve at their discretion. There were no clear guidelines on use of company-sponsored hand-phones and some staff hand-phone bills amounted to almost $800 per month.

5.2.2. There are now clear HR policies on staff entitlements, covering annual leave, conference leave, travelling allowances, medical benefits and other staff benefits. For example, staff will have to purchase and subscribe to their own hand-phone. However, selected staff from the clinical and fund-raising departments who spend most of their time outside of the office, will be reimbursed up to a certain amount.


5.3 Interim Finance policies:

An interim finance policy has also been implemented, pending confirmation in due course by the Board's Finance Committee.

Previously, there was no proper budgeting by the various HODs. They did not need to submit yearly capital budget nor clear operating budget, and department purchases were often approved on an ad hoc basis. When tenders were called for, they were sometimes ignored or over-ridden. There were also no clear guidelines on approval authorities and approval limits.

5.3.1. There are now clear policies on finance and requisition procedures, purchasing protocol, authorisation and approval of expenditures, petty cash payment and approval limits.

5.3.2. There are now also regular internal audit on internal processes to ensure that the processes and policies are adhered to. The Board has also decided to outsource its Internal Audit to an independent CPA firm. This has become necessary as the former internal auditors (NKF-employed staff) were not trained nor qualified to conduct internal audit work.



6. IMPROVING PATIENT CARE:

The Board and CEO determined that their first major task was to ensure that patients continued to receive quality care at affordable rates.

6.1 Dialysis fees reduced:

6.1.1. To make dialysis more affordable to patients, the cost of dialysis was reduced on August 19, 2005, from $200 a session to $162 a session. As patients undergo dialysis three times a week, this amounted to a sizeable saving for a number of its patients (reduction from $2730 a month, to $2211.30 a month, with GST).

Immediately, some of the NKF's 1,796 patients (as at Aug 2005) saw a reduction in the component that they pay. These patients now pay between $50 and $525 a month for dialysis.

With the reduction in dialysis costs, the NKF is now providing $198,175 more in subsidies each month for these 456 patients.

The monthly average amounts of subsidies provided by the NKF (for dialysis and drugs) are tabled as follows:

Should you require more information, please contact:

Juliana Khoo
Public Relations
N ational Kidney Foundation Singapore
Tel: 63515 853
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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The NKF Children's Medical Fund

Since 1993, the NKF has been supporting young kidney patients' daily 10-hour long dialysis sessions, medication and post-transplant costs. Now, the NKF has expanded our life-saving mission to children and youths suffering from other chronic and acute illnesses that require extensive medical attention and costly medication. Hence, the NKF Children's Medical Fund (NKF-CMF) was launched on Children's Day, 1 October 2001, by Mrs Goh Chok Tong, Patron of the NKF.

The NKF Children's Medical Fund provides crucial subsidies for expensive treatments and rehabilitative care for over 2,500 chronically ill children and their families, giving them the priceless chance to face a brighter future, together. Beneficiaries include infants, children and adolescents up to 19 years of age.

The NKF Children's Medical Fund works in partnership with local paediatric hospitals supporting needy young patients under the following medical programmes:

1. Congenital heart diseases
2. Kidney failure
3. Brittle bones diseases
4. Childhood diabetic nephropathy
5. Paediatric Epilepsy
6. Growth hormone therapy
7. Child-Life Rehabilitation Therapy

The Fund is also committed to the annual operating expenses of the Shaw-NKF Children's Kidney Centre (CKC), the first of its kind in Southeast Asia providing one-stop, state-of-the-art medical facilities to children and young adults with kidney failure and related illnesses, as well as those in need of a transplant.

We are committed to safeguard our children's health so that they may grow up and live to fulfil their destiny. This is our promise to all parents. Help us reach out to more needy children and their parents by referring them to this Fund. Together, we can save our children's lives.

For more information about the NKF Children's Medical Fund, please visit us at www.cmf.nkfs.org . You may also email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact us at 6299 0200.

It was an exciting day for both staff and patients when they saw the colourful and yet delicious cover of NKF’s very first cook book at the Toa Payoh Dialysis Centre’s Open House on 16 March 2008.

Keeping the kidney patients’ dietary requirements in mind, the recipes were collected from the patients themselves who adopted everyday recipes and modified them into a dish that is suited for their diet requirement. Dialysis patients require a much higher intake of protein than the average person, too little protein and calorie intake often leads to protein energy malnutrition. To achieve good dialysis outcome, dialysis patients need to monitor their diet closely so as to help control the waste products and fluids accumulated between dialysis treatments. Therefore, it is essential for dialysis patients to have the right amount of protein, calories, fluids, vitamins and minerals each day.

A healthy diet for a dialysis patient is:

• adequate in protein
• adequate in calories
• low to moderate in potassium
• low in sodium
• low in phosphorus
• controlled in fluids

“The cook book is so affordable at only $9.95 and the most important aspect is that it teaches us healthy cooking”, says Jamaliah, a volunteer at NKF.

The NKF’s dialysis programme goes beyond mere kidney dialysis. In addition to providing subsidies for dialysis and medication, NKF, in its efforts to provide holistic care, also provided subsidies through social welfare and medical welfare programmes which are essential components in holistic treatment.

Helping the Poorest through Patient Welfare and Benefit Programme

$30 Food Vouchers
As part of its Patient Welfare and Benefit Programme, NKF continued to help needy patients by giving them each a $30 food voucher every month as part of its efforts to lessen their financial burden as well as improve their quality of life. Patients have to utilise the food vouchers by purchasing food with nutritional value as recommended by our nutritionist at designated supermarkets.

Public Transport Subsidy Programme
NKF launched its “Public Transport Subsidy Programme” on 7 April 2009, thanks to a generous donation of $50,000 from The Singapore Buddhist Lodge together with the Taoist Federation, Jamiyah Singapore, and the Hindu Endowments Board. These patients received $30 per month to help support their bus/train expenses to and from dialysis centres.

Since November 2007, the new NKF has been providing transport subsidies to needy patients under its Patient Welfare and Benefit Programme. Needy patients, such as amputees who require special transportation to and from dialysis centres and cannot afford the additional costs, are given subsidies for their taxi and ambulance expenses for their 3 dialysis sessions every week.

Providing Home Glucose Monitoring Kit to Patients

Nearly 60% of NKF’s patients requiring dialysis have diabetes mellitus. These diabetic patients require good blood sugar control, even after starting dialysis, to reduce and slow down further complications. In order to achieve blood sugar control, regular monitoring of sugar is required. Cost is a major factor for non-compliance in monitoring sugar. To address this issue, NKF has provided blood sugar monitoring kits to dialysis patients free of charge, with a commitment from the patients to monitor their blood sugar regularly and report the results to the dialysis centre monthly. This data will be used to educate patients and help them take measures to improve blood sugar control, thereby reducing complications in the long term.

Providing Foot Care Services for Patients

Diabetic patients are at higher risk of developing foot ulcer resulting in peripheral vascular disease and diabetic neuropathy. If left untreated, it could lead to gangrene and amputation. The NKF collaborated with the Singapore Footcare Centre to provide patients with cheaper footcare services. All diabetic patients are encouraged to go to foot care centre yearly for foot assessment to detect neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease so that they can be referred early for appropriate care to prevent complications.

Improving Patients’ Physical Fitness

Exercise plays a vital role in maintaining good health. Personalised exercise routines have been developed by NKF exercise specialists in collaboration with renal physicians and dialysis centre staff to improve patients’ functional fitness. Patients carry out exercises during the first hour of each dialysis session. Sunday walks are also organised on a regular basis for patients’ participation.

Taking Care of Patients' Psycho-Social Needs

Besides taking care of physical aspects of kidney patients, the NKF also looks into the emotional and psychosocial needs of patients by hiring trained medical social workers. The NKF’s medical social workers provide counseling services for patients to help them overcome the emotional effects of kidney failure. They also conduct home visits when necessary. The medical social worker team facilitates the Patient Support Programme, which provides patients with avenue to interact and establish an informal social network. Workshops are conducted to empower patients in their rehabilitation and improve their quality of life.

Educating Patients on Nutrition

Having the right nutrition is a constant challenge for dialysis patients as they need to be more careful with what they eat as it impacts on their dialysis and health outcomes. Keeping this in mind, the NKF has been educating patients by organising a series of nutritional related activities such as fruit and vegetable road shows, healthy shopping, eating out and recipe-sharing. Please refer to Diet for Dialysis Patient for more information on diet for patients.

Helping Patient Manage their Condition through Patient Education Programme

Through NKF’s Patient Education Programme, regular workshops, events and activities are conducted for patients and their caregivers to help patients better understand and manage their medical condition.

Patients Benefit from Weekly Placement Orientation Programme

New patients continued to benefit from the Patient Orientation Programme aimed at inspiring newly admitted patients towards better self-care through sharing of positive patient testimonies and personal experiences. It also provided an overview of NKF’s value-adding services and rehabilitation programmes. As rehabilitation is an important part of NKF’s dialysis programme, new patients were also introduced to the Exercise Specialists and Dietitians and to the services they provide.

Offering Friendship and Hope - "Circle of Hearts" Programme

Complementing the psycho-social needs is NKF’s volunteer initiative known as "Circle of Hearts" Volunteer Programme. These programmes offer friendship to patients (Befrienders Programme), help enrich patients’ lives (Enrichment Programme), visit patient once a month with basic food provisions (Adoption Programme). By including various volunteering activities as part of the patients’ healing process, the NKF hopes to help them cope better with their long-term illness.

By supporting us, you will give kidney patients the chance to access high quality dialysis treatment and care at affordable and subsidised rate, giving them a better tomorrow.

Donate Your GST & Growth Dividends

With effect from 1 July 2008, you can choose to donate your GST Credits and Growth Dividends.
Please click here to access the GST Offset Package and Growth Dividends website.
You would need to use your SINGPASS or your one–time Pin when accessing the website.

Donate via LifeDrops Programme:

This programme was started in 1987 to support the healthcare programmes that the NKF has established for the care of kidney failure patients. It provides donors with the option to donate a small gift every month through Inter Bank GIRO or credit card.

Every dollar you send brings light in the lives of many in despair. Your gift of:

• $50 provides one patient with a month’s supply of bloodlines and fistula needles
• $30 provides one patient with one artificial kidney (dialyser) for a month
• $15 provides one patient with a month’s supply of intravenous drugs
• $8 provides one patient with a week’s supply of normal saline solution

How do I donate to LifeDrops?

When is the activation date for LifeDrops?

What are the tax benefits?

What happens if there are insufficient funds in my account?

Online donation

Donate by post

Official Operation: 26/02/94
Address: 17 Ang Mo Kio Ave 9 #03-01 Ang Mo Kio Hospital Ltd S569766
Dialysis Stations: 19
Tel: (65) 6459 2997/ (65) 6459 3024
Fax: (65) 6459 3006
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Our 7th dialysis centre marked yet another milestone as it became the largest renal facility in South East Asia with the capacity to serve 120 patients. It was also the first one to be set up in a community hospital in Singapore. The centre materialised after a generous contribution from Japan Airlines to Singapore's 25th Anniversary Fund, which was matched dollar-for-dollar by the Singapore government.

• BMI
• Blood Pressure
• Blood Glucose Test

• Diabetes and hypertension accounts for 7 in 10 cases of kidney failure.

• People with a BMI of 25 or greater are clearly at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, compared to people with a BMI of less than 25, and in fact, increased risk of type 2 diabetes may begin increasing by as much as 25 percent for every kg/m2 increase beyond 22. Additionally, increased risk is relatively independent of activity level. That is, even if a person with an elevated BMI is active, they are still at significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.