The “From Global Goals to National Actions: Strengthening Kidney Health Workshop” was organized to draw attention to the increasing global burden of chronic kidney disease, evaluate strategies that can be implemented in Turkey in line with international goals, and strengthen inter-institutional cooperation.
Stakeholders representing academia, the public sector, medical specialty associations, primary healthcare services, and the pharmaceutical industry participated widely in the workshop. Within the scope of the program, multidimensional evaluations were made regarding the protection of kidney health, prevention of chronic kidney disease, early diagnosis and risk management, and the development of sustainable health policies.
Attending the opening and sessions of the workshop, Prof. Dr. Aydın Türkmen, President of the Turkish Society of Nephrology; Prof. Dr. Abdülbaki Kumbasar, representing the Internal Medicine Specialty Education and Research Association; Prof. Dr. Seyit Uyar, President of the Association of Internal Medicine Specialists; Assoc. Prof. Dr. İsmail Arslan, representing the Association of Family Medicine Specialists; Dr. Ayhan Karagül, representing the Board of Directors of the Federation of Family Physicians; Prof. Dr. Muhammed Nur Öğün, Deputy Director General of Public Health of the Ministry of Health; and Prof. Dr. Hilmi Erdem Sümbül, representing TÜSEB, shared their views and suggestions.
In the first sessions of the workshop, managing kidney health on a global scale, the resolutions adopted at the World Health Assembly, the interaction of chronic kidney disease with other chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, and successful international practice examples were discussed. Furthermore, the current situation in Turkey, the identification and monitoring of risk groups, the presentation of the Turkey Kidney Diseases Prevention and Control Program, and the efforts within the framework of the Disease Management Platform were evaluated.
During the discussion session, a consensus was reached on strengthening early screening models, increasing the role of primary healthcare services, developing data-driven monitoring mechanisms, and expanding the multidisciplinary approach.
As a result of the workshop, it was emphasized that the protection of kidney health is not limited to treatment services alone; the necessity of holistic policies covering prevention, early diagnosis, risk management, and public awareness was highlighted. It was stated that a significant step has been taken towards increasing inter-institutional cooperation and implementing evidence-based national actions.
