Renalssance

CKD is a major health burden, affecting about 10% of the global population and 14% in Singapore, where it is projected to rise to 25% by 2035. Although it often fails to improve prognosis, diminishes quality of life, or contradicts patients’ choices, dialysis remains the default choice for many due to limited awareness of alternatives.

Renalssance aims to tackle this by establishing non-dialysis care, which comprises medication, lifestyle modification and psychosocial support, more widely in the healthcare ecosystem so a patient’s choice – whether dialysis or non-dialysis – can be intentional.

This will be done by identifying patients, such as the elderly and those with co-morbid conditions, who will be more suitable for non-dialysis care at hospitals and NKF dialysis centres. Those who opt for non-dialysis care will be referred by hospitals to care providers such as active ageing centres, home care, home nursing, home medical and hospices, where they will continue to be overseen by the hospital’s nephrologist.

For patients who opt for dialysis, their well-being will be monitored more closely via screening tools to assess if dialysis is causing undue levels of suffering so NKF can adjust the dialysis regime or, as a last resort, discuss transitioning to non-dialysis care.

For a progressive disease with heavy suffering like CKD, early application of palliative care will ensure care is aligned with patients’ wishes, in place of a singular focus on prolonging life. 5,000 patients will benefit over 4 years.