It is this lack of awareness that led the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) to launch its inaugural World Kidney Day on Mar 9, year 2006.

Since then, the world has observed World Kidney Day on the second Thursday of March every year, to remind the public about one of the world¡¯s most prevalent and preventable chronic illnesses: chronic kidney disease (CKD).

To commemorate the third World Kidney Day this year on Mar 13, the Ministry of Health (MOH), National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF) and the Malaysian Society of Nephrology (MSN) will come together in an effort to increase the public awareness of kidney diseases and the ways to prevent it.

With the theme Amazing Kidneys, the Malaysian World Kidney Day 2008 aims to enlighten us about the vital role of our kidneys and ways to care for their well-being.

Adults can look forward to health screening programmes, public forums and counselling sessions while children can take part in drawing competitions, walkathons and games.

¡°The theme for this year, Amazing Kidneys, is very apt as the fact that our kidneys filter and clean 200 litres of blood daily is amazing,¡± said Malaysian World Kidney Day organising chairman Dr Goh Bak Leong.