Welcome to the official website of the National Kidney Foundation of Samoa. Please be advised that we will be updating you on all the different activities and also news about our Charity Organisation through this website for your information and comfort.
We will also give details of our service to the public as its what most are curious to know about us. For instance, what we do and also very importantly what are the general requirements for the number of patients that should be treated in our charity organisation amongst other needs and requirements.
Please take a quick tour around our pages as we will provide you with what is to be known about our service and what we do.
The National Kidney Foundation of Samoa was established under the National Kidney Foundation of Samoa Act 2005 to:
- Assist persons in Samoa suffering from kidney diseases and disorders and their families through the provision of treatment, care support, education and information; and
- Minimize the incidence in Samoa of kidney related disease and disorders of ill health caused by or associated with such disease and disorders.
In recognition of this need, the Government of Samoa established the NKF Samoa as a charitable organization. As such, the operations of the Foundation are dependent on funding from and through Government, and financial support from the general public, non-governmental organizations, village and church groups and the business community.
Since its establishment, the major portion of its operations has been funded through Government grants.
The Board of Directors and Management continue to work towards improvement in the Foundation’s operations and service as the Foundation expands in its activities and resources.
Since its establishment in 2005, there has been a drastic increase in numbers of the population needing dialysis. The average number of new patients per year is 15 and the number to date is 96 in total, compared to the 6 patients we had started with. A new Dialysis Unit in Savaii also opened 2011 to facilitate the need of this service for patients with renal failure in the big Island.
Non –communicable diseases especially Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension have been the main drivers for the growth in end stage renal disease (ESRD) in Samoa. A Comprehensive Screening done in 2005-2007 by NKFS showed a large portion of the population with weight problems and urinary abnormalities in addition to being diabetic and hypertensive and may be at risk of developing these NCDS resulting in kidney failure. Thus it is safe to predict a continuous growth in end stage renal disease in the country which has become a major issue faced by the Foundation.
Having said that, the strategic issues facing the Foundation include;
Strategic Issues
- The continuous increase in the number of patients treated since establishment;
- The shortage in professional healthcare specialists to cater to the growing demands;
- Limited capacity of its Dialysis Unit at the moment compared to rising numbers;
- Lack of awareness on Kidney related diseases.
Mandate:
Activities of the Foundation are carried out in accordance with the provision of the following Legislations and Professional Standards.
- National Kidney Foundation of Samoa Act 2005;
- Cabinet Decisions and Policy Directives;
- Labor and Employment Act 1972 ;
- Public Finance Management Act 2001;
- Public Bodies (Performance and Accountability) Act 2001;
- Healthcare Professions Registration and Standards Act 2007;
- Medical Practitioners Act 2007;
- Nursing and Midwifery Act 2007;
- Non Communicable Diseases Strategy 2004 ;
- NKFS Board of Directors Decisions and Policy Directives;
- Health Sector Plan 2008-2010.
Major Objectives:
- To provide timely, accurate and well informed advice on kidney-disease related matters.
- To increase awareness and understanding of Kidneys and Kidney related disorders.
- To retard the progression of renal impairment of people with chronic kidney diseases through early detection and management.
- To provide high quality holistic care for patients with end stage renal failure.
- To be prudent and efficient in the use of NKFS Resources.
- To have a skilled, disciplined and happy staff.