The man who has led the Samoa Kidney Foundation for 16 years, Motoalii Mulipola Roger Hazelman was given the nod by the Cabinet to continue his tenure for three more years. 

According to a statement by the Cabinet, only two applicants including Motoalii applied for the post.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management complemented by a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Management.

Since the National Kidney Foundation was established in early 2001, demand for its services has sky-rocketed from 10 initial patients to over 190 as of now.

To mitigate the prevalence of kidney failure and disorders associated with kidneys in Samoa, the Samoa National Kidney Foundation was founded in 2005. In addition to dialysis services, they offer patients with end-stage renal failure comprehensive care.

NKFS provides haemodialysis service in both Upolu and Savaii, whereby people with end stage renal failure come in three times a week, for approximately five hours a session, for renal replacement therapy. It also from time to time extends services to visitors requiring temporary acute dialysis at the National Health Services (NHS).

According to recent data from the National Kidney Foundation (N.K.F.), the dialysis patient population has increased from 183 to over 200 within the past year, marking a significant rise in demand for renal care services across the island nation. 

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the region stands at close to 30 per cent. 

Meanwhile, the trend of a growing dialysis patient population is compounded by the troubling fact that patients are getting younger, indicating a rise in chronic kidney disease cases among younger demographics.

Alarmingly, over 80 per cent of those in need of dialysis treatment suffer from kidney failure stemming from complications of poorly managed non-communicable diseases (NCDs), notably diabetes and hypertension. 

Against this backdrop, the theme for World Kidney Day 2024 couldn't be more pertinent: "Kidney Health for All – Advancing Equitable Access to Care and Optimal Medication Practice."