On August 20, 2021, IFKF-WKA (International Federation of Kidney Foundations - World Kidney Alliance) conducted a webinar on “Healthy Food for healthy Kidney”, wherein they invited Ms Jaya Jairam to share Patient perspective as a kidney patient and transplant recipient. This session was conducted as part of raising awareness about consuming healthy and kidney-friendly food.

Mrs Latha Kumaraswami, President Elect, Secretary and Treasurer of IFKF-WKA extended a warm welcome to all the invited dignitaries, the council members and participants in the webinar.

President, Dr SF Lui was invited to share the importance of ‘Eating Smart & Eating well: healthy foods for healthy Kidneys’ and how IFKF-WKA has taken upon itself to work in this area.

Dr Lui introduced IFKF-WKA, its vison, mission and the initiatives undertaken by the organization. He touched upon the conceptual framework of “Living well with kidney disease”, the symptoms, impacts and importance of this. He spoke about some of the studies being carried out by him - ‘living well with kidney disease’, ‘Renal Nutrition, Diet and world kidney renal nutrition’. He highlighted the need for Patient education, engagement, and empowerment. Lastly, he shared that IFKF-WKA has initiated work on project– ‘World Kidney Recipes’. He showed various types of kidney recipes from different parts of the world, for better kidney health.

Ms. Jaya Jairam, Project Director at MOHAN Foundation, patient support group TRIOMPH lead and a kidney transplant recipient herself, began her talk by explaining about the need for educating patients regarding kidney friendly food for maintaining a quality of life. She shared that she wished that such kidney recipes were available 11 years back when she was struggling with her balancing what to eat and yet keep creatinine, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and such other parameters balanced.

Similarly, she highlighted the need for food hygiene, as well as a well-balanced diet for kidney transplant patients.

She highlighted that it was essential for diet to be balanced with exercises as steroid and immunosuppressants that are given as anti-rejection medicines, caused low immunity and posed side effects that may cause elevated blood sugar, hypertension, cholesterol, triglycerides, etc. She advised that one should approach a dietician and stick to a diet that is customised for them from the point of view of diabetes control or weight loss or weight gain or any other such issues. She shared that she followed a routine of consuming less oil, salt and sugar.

Dr Kam Kalantar-Zadeh was then invited to share on ‘Diet, Renal nutrition and world kidney recipes’. He explained what a low and very low protein diet was, Pathologic processes leading to glomerular Injury, GFR and intracapillary glomerular pressure, Glomerular hyperfiltration in diabetes etc.

Dr Georgi Abraham thereafter spoke on ‘Management of Malnutrition in CKD’. He explained regarding the nutrition and its impact on CKD Patients.

Dr. Tilakavati Karupaiah subsequently presented on “Renal Nutrition, diet and Recipes- an Asian prospective”. She covered some topics such as Scope of Renal nutrition, diet and recipes. Food decisions in Singapore, Poor intake of fruit and vegetables, soy protein intake, Bone health management for CKD patients etc

Lastly Mrs. Vijayashree Nagarajan spoke on “Healthy diet for healthy kidneys”, wherein she spoke on need for better glycaemic control, reduction of glycaemic index in the meals and intake of sodium.

Mrs. Jaya Jairam conducting an awareness session in collaboration with IFKF-WKA

The webinar had around 80 participants in Zoom call and 236 views on Facebook and in total 316 participants and viewers.