Message from our Director

I assumed the office of director of UBPI from fiscal 2016 as successor to the former director Mr. Kawamura. I look forward to your continued support for the activities of our NGO.

As our activity report shows, UBPI has engaged in supporting, promoting and educating about hemodialysis in Southeast Asia, with a focus over the past few years on Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia, and has achieved certain results. Our achievements differ from region to region, but dialysis treatments are certainly and increasingly provided in each area, playing a role in combatting kidney failure. Furthermore, we have strengthened our cooperation with academic societies associated with nephrology and dialysis therapy in various countries. In recent years, we have also extended our relations with Laos where medical care for kidney failure remains uncertain.

In Japan, we have held sessions centering on the Committee for International Academic Exchange of the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy (JSDT), with participants from those countries. JSDT has also set up the Young Doctors and Healthcare Providers in Developing Countries Support Subcommittee (chaired by Akihiro Yamashita) and established education programs for domestic medical facilities, and provides support to dialysis staff coming to Japan. We believe the establishment of dialysis care in developing countries is achieved through the further development of this project. With the support of the Japanese Society for Nephrology (JSN), we are also seeking to build links between developing countries in Asia and the Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology (APSN) and International Society of Nephrology (ISN).

Through these activities, cooperation between Japan and mostly Asian developing countries has been steadily built up. However, these developing countries are all undergoing rapid economic growth and eventually will not need our help and support. Only then can UBPI achieve its goals. The important thing at this time is that Asian countries remain politically stable and peaceful. This war-free situation is absolutely crucial for the development of medical care, highlighting the value of world peace.

UBPI will also, to the best of our ability, conduct activities for world peace.

Hideki Kawanishi, Director

NGO Ubiquitous Blood Purification International