The International Symposium on Infections in Renal Transplantation was organized by the Department of Infectious Diseases and Nephrology Department in King Abdulaziz Medical City for the National Guard - Jeddah. The symposium was held in the Intercontinental Hotel – Jeddah with the participation of a selected number of medical specialists and experts from inside and outside the Kingdom. Participants in the symposium discussed several topics related to infectious diseases in renal transplantation to achieve better health care.
The symposium started with verses from the holy Qur’an and then the President of the Scientific Committee Dr Abeer Shukairy addressed the audience. After that, the President of the Saudi Society of Nephrology Dr. Jamal Al-Wakeel gave a speech in which he discussed kidney disease statistics and the role the Committee plays in supporting kidney patients. The Director of the Academic Affairs and Medical Education gave the opening speech and said that the National Guard Health Affairs effectively contributes to developing the medical field in all its areas of prevention, therapy and education in Saudi Arabia. One of the most important objectives of the NGHA is optimal utilization of manpower and resources for the development of the Kingdom.
Dr. Saliman Al-Karsou, the head of the Organizing Committee and Chief Consultant of the Nephrology Department in KAMC – Jeddah said: “It has been known that the numbers of patients with chronic renal failure have been increasing due to the high incidence of diabetes and hypertension which are the main causes for chronic renal failure.” He also mentioned that the inadequacy of dialysis services world wide makes it essential to increase the availability of kidney transplantation for many of these patients. Thus, the NGHA established special organ transplantation programs within the Kingdom, including kidney transplants. Recently, a renal transplantation program has been launched in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah in line with these goals.