ISN Continuing Medical Education Program Supports Nurses in Revitalizing Dialysis Care in Samoa
In July 2024, the ISN and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology supported two nurses from New Zealand to present at the 2nd Biennial Samoa Kidney Conference in July 2024. ISN OSEA Regional Board member and Core Programs Committee Deputy Chair Robert Walker also shared his expertise at the event.
The conference, “Advancing Equitable Access to Kidney Care for ALL,” was an additional initiative stemming from the ISN Sister Renal Centers partnership between the National Kidney Foundation Samoa (NKFS) and Middlemore Hospital in New Zealand – read more here.
One of the conference’s primary goals was to strengthen the NKFS dialysis program by involving clinical nurse specialists from New Zealand, Fakaola Otuafi and Rachel Spence, to help revitalize kidney care in the region amid challenges like staff burnout from recent health crises. The meeting featured a workshop addressing critical updates and training for dialysis nurses.
According to Professor Walker, the high prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Samoa calls for targeted education and awareness, particularly in rural areas. Participants followed a hands-on workshop presenting training on CKD screening, detection, and early management.
Rachel Spence (far left) and Fakaola Otuafi (far right)
He commented, “With participation from the deputy prime minister, representatives from the Ministry of Health, local WHO representatives, as well as medical and nursing staff from the Hospital and NKFS, the meeting provided an excellent opportunity to develop greater awareness of the issues facing Samoa and to develop collaborations to improve outcomes for Samoans with chronic kidney disease.”
Meeting organizer Ben Matalavea of the National Kidney Foundation of Samoa added, “The meeting highlighted that leadership at all levels of society is required to address our rapidly growing CKD problems.”
The ISN has long championed the essential role of nephrology nurses in providing high-quality holistic care to patients. In 2020, its Kidney Health Professionals Working Group outlined global issues in nephrology nursing care and strategies to address them.
