SPEECH BY MDM RAHAYU MAHZAM, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF HEALTH, AT THE NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION COMMUNITY PARTNERS APPRECIATION CEREMONY

Ms Yen Tan, Chief Executive Officer, National Kidney Foundation (NKF)

Haji Mohamad Rafi Eusope, Mosque Executive Chairman, Hasanah Mosque

Community Partners from Mosques and Malay/Muslim Organisations

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon.

My Muslim friends, Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

1. Thank you so much, Yen, for sharing very passionately your concerns and the efforts that you are doing for the community, and also to the mosques and the Muslim community for supporting this very important endeavour. As we gather today, it is important to acknowledge both the challenges and opportunities in promoting better health for Singaporeans. We do need to take care of those who are in chronic situations. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains a silent yet significant health concern, affecting around 500,000 people in Singapore. Many are unaware they have the condition until it has progressed to advanced stages. This makes early detection and prevention more crucial than ever.

A Holistic and Community-Driven Approach

2. I am glad to hear that NKF has taken a comprehensive approach to tackling CKD, extending beyond treatment to also focus on prevention and early intervention. Through community partnerships, NKF is fostering active participation in kidney health across different segments of society, including the Malay/Muslim community. Their educational programmes are reaching out to individuals in the community, equipping them with essential knowledge on kidney health and the importance of regular screening.

Enhancing Early Detection

3. I note NKF’s efforts through their CKD Clinic, a one-stop centre that provides complimentary kidney screening for individuals with risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease or a family history of kidney disease. By leveraging data analytics to identify at-risk individuals, NKF is able to introduce the right interventions early, preventing kidney disease or delaying its progression towards kidney failure. Beyond screening, I understand that the CKD Clinic offers same-day consultations with NKF’s dietitians and exercise specialists, who provide tailored health plans. This patient-centric approach empowers individuals with practical steps to take control of their health.

Bringing Screening into Primary Care

4. As part of its efforts to tackle CKD, NKF has been actively working with general practitioners, who are often the doctors caring for persons with high risk of CKD, such as those with hypertension or diabetes. This collaboration is important because CKD often progresses silently, with little to no symptoms in its early stages. Many people do not realise they have the condition until significant damage has occurred, making early detection and management very critical. This underscores the need for continued prevention and early intervention.

5. By integrating kidney screening into primary care settings for individuals at high risk for kidney disease, such as those with hypertension or diabetes, NKF and GPs’ collaboration enable more patients to have access to timely detection and intervention. Diabetes and hypertension remain the leading causes of CKD, but the good news is that with early detection and effective management, we can prevent or delay the progression of the disease. In addition, NKF is empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to take control of their health, in order to improve outcomes for those with CKD. NKF’s efforts are aligned with Healthier SG, where an annual kidney assessment is recommended for patients with diabetes and hypertension. For those of you who have not already signed up for Healthier SG, please do so.

6. According to the most recent National Population Health Survey results, Malays have the highest prevalence of daily smoking, obesity, and hypertension among the ethnic groups and these are major risk factors for kidney disease. Despite this, Malays had the lowest screening rates for chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol, highlighting the urgent need for greater health awareness and proactive management of their conditions. I am not saying this to put heat on the Malay community, but I think it is important that we face issues head on. Let’s see what is the issue, what is the problem? Which is why all of you are here today. I hope we all can work together to try to deal with this. I am very happy that the Malay/Muslim organisations have been very supportive. We see a lot of Malay doctors and the MAECs coming together. We have the JKJU, the M3, and a lot of networks are all supportive. I think there is an opportunity for us to work together. In this case, with NKF. This makes NKF’s outreach efforts, particularly through partnerships with mosques and Malay/Muslim organisations, even more essential in ensuring that individuals at higher risk receive the support and resources they need to safeguard their health.

Expanding Outreach and Awareness

7. In addition to these targeted screening efforts for high-risk individuals, NKF has been proactive in engaging communities through public roadshows, school outreach and collaborations with religious organisations. There are many examples. Today is one, because we know that religion is important to the Malay/Muslim community, speaking to them through their religion and values. One example is PERTAPIS, which has been actively working with NKF to promote kidney health among its staff and beneficiaries, including residents of PERTAPIS Halfway House. Their participation in screenings and health talks reflect a strong commitment to their well-being and serves as an inspiring model for other organisations.

8. With nearly one in five Singaporeans aged 65 and older living with chronic conditions, tailored outreach efforts are critical in ensuring that older adults, particularly in communities at higher risk, take charge of their kidney health.

A Shared Responsibility for Better Kidney Health

9. Moving forward, the continued focus on prevention and early detection remains paramount. NKF’s efforts in outreach and education, alongside collaborations with the Ministry of Health, other healthcare providers and community partners, will ensure that we continue to tackle the problem of kidney disease head on. I commend NKF for its unwavering dedication to advancing kidney health for all Singaporeans, and I encourage all of us – healthcare providers, community leaders and individuals – to continue working together to advance these efforts. Together, we can build a healthier future for all. Thank you very much.