Dear friends and colleagues,
It is with great pleasure that I send this message to the newly launched SLSON website. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the previous council and the president for their steadfast guidance during turbulent times. As we embark on the journey into 2024, having weathered the storms of economic crises and the COVID 19 pandemic, we are confronted with new challenges
As the number of patients with CKD continues to rise, our nation grapples with escalating costs associated with their management. In the context of a developing economy like Sri Lanka, this presents a formidable challenge. To address this, we must prioritize prevention and health promotion efforts. With this in mind, we conducted a series of events throughout March aligning with World Kidney Day on 14th March 2024. The centerpiece of our activities was the Kidney Walk on March 17th in Colombo. We obtained support from the Ministry of Health, Colombo Municipal Council, public and private hospitals, non-governmental organizations, the military, and patient advocacy groups among many others for this event.
This main event was also complemented by nation wide programs aimed to disseminate crucial messages on healthy living, kidney disease prevention, and early intervention conducted by our members. Additionally, throughout March, we undertook a series of public awareness campaigns leveraging electronic and print media platforms to educate the public on kidney disease prevention and management.
Our commitment to outreach extends beyond Colombo, with a extremely successful meeting that was conducted at the General Hospital Ampara in June 2024. This initiative was to equip healthcare professionals in peripheral regions with the necessary knowledge and skills to address the needs of patients with kidney disease. A large number of our members attended this event with their families and this also provided a great opportunity to foster collegiality and fellowship.
Undoubtedly, the highlight of our annual calendar is the academic sessions scheduled to take place in Colombo from November 21st to 23rd, 2024. Building on past successes, the event will feature pre-congress sessions, the main congress spanning two days, culminating in the Annual General Meeting and the President’s Dinner. This year, we expect to broaden our regional footprint by engaging delegates from across South Asia, elevating our congress to a regional conference of significance. I anticipate active participation from both local and international delegates in the congress, either through organizational support or by contributing abstracts for the scientific sessions.
While we have surmounted numerous challenges in the past, formidable obstacles still lie ahead. It is imperative that we stand united as a society to navigate these turbulent waters. Together, let us forge ahead with renewed energy and determination to realize our vision of a healthier, more informed society.
Warm regards,
Professor Eranga Wijewickrama
President, Sri Lanka Society of Nephrology (SLSON)