Singapore society of nephrology

The singapore society of nephrology (ssn) has been in existence for the past 36 years since 1972. The development of Nephrology as a specialty can be said to date from the establishment of the Department of Renal Medicine at the Singapore General Hospital in 1973. The main stimulus to form a Society of Nephrology was the desire to organise a scientific meeting for Nephrologists in the region, and to get to know our counterparts in neighbouring countries. Prof Khoo Oon Teik who was then Professor of Medicine at the University of Singapore was the prime mover for such a meeting. Hence on the 28 November 1972 an inaugural meeting was called to form the singapore society of nephrology. It was held at the Brunel Hawes Lecture Theatre Medical Unit II in Bowyer block of the old Singapore General Hospital. The objectives of the Society were The advancement of knowledge concerning the kidney; The promotion of research in Nephrology and of improved standards in the treatment of renal disease; Collaboration with international and other regional societies interested in Nephrology. At the inaugural meeting, the following decisions were taken i.e; to seek affiliation with the International Society of Nephrology, to organise the 1st Colloquium in Nephrology, to hold regular scientific and clinical meetings for member. The First Scientific Meeting of the Society was held on the 27 – 28th August 1998 at the Mandarin Hotel. The aim of the meeting was to provide a broad education in Nephrology for our doctors, especially medical trainees, general practitioners, nurses and paramedical members of the Society. Since 1988 the Society has held this meeting on an annual basis and named it the Renal Update. Renal Works is the Scientific Publication of the ssn. The ssn Nursing Chapter was inaugurated in 2006. Its objectives are to increase the knowledge, skills and scientific standing of the renal nurses and also to foster camaraderie amongst the members. Its Editors include Dr Grace Lee, Prof Evan Lee and Dr Roger Tan. Renal Works publishes classic articles in nephrology together with abstracts of papers and original articles published by members of the ssn during the past 2 years. Vol 1, 2005/2006 was released in 2007.