World Kidney Day Program - 2026

Date: 24th March 2026  
Venue:  Divisional Hospital, Deltota.  
Theme: “Screening, Optimal Management and Follow-up of Diabetes and Hypertension associated Chronic Kidney Disease”

Organized by Centre for Education, Research, and Training in Kidney Disease (CERTKiD) in collaboration with Peradeniya Kidney Protection Society (PKPS) and DH Deltota

Introduction

In parallel with the World Kidney Day 2026, an Educational and Screening Program on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) was organized at Divisional Hospital Deltota by the Centre for Education, Research and Training in Kidney Disease (CERTKiD) at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya and Peradeniya Kidney Protection Society (PKPS) in collaboration with Deltota Hospital.

Objectives of the program

• To raise public awareness on kidney health and educate the community on the importance of maintaining healthy kidneys.
• To educate the public on the risk factors and prevention of kidney diseases especially focusing on Chronic Kidney Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, and Hypertension.
• To screen for CKD of high-risk patients attending Deltota Medical clinic and provide appropriate management plans.
• To initiate a regular CKD screening program at Deltota Hospital for all at-risk patients

Program Activities

The program saw the following activities.

1.    Opening Ceremony

A welcome speech and an introduction to the World Kidney Day program and its significance was provided by the Public Health Nursing Officer of the Divisional Hospital Deltota.

2.    Educational Sessions

Three (3) educational sessions were conducted to improve participants’ knowledge on major risk factors and CKD. The sessions were delivered by medical professionals from Teaching Hospital Peradeniya and covered the following topics. During the program, educational leaflets on kidney health were distributed among the participants to further enhance community awareness.

• Session 1: “Diabetes”

Speaker: Dr. H.Y.C. Senanayake.
Highlighted the relationship between Diabetes Mellitus and CKD, emphasizing the importance of proper disease management and regular monitoring to prevent kidney complications.  

• Session 2: “Hypertension”

SSpeaker: Dr. M.M.S. Madhuwantha.
Focused on the importance of maintaining proper blood pressure control and its significant impact on kidney health, particularly in preventing CKD.

• Session 3: “Chronic Kidney Disease”

Speaker: Prof. Rajitha Abeysekera
Provided an overview of the causes, early symptoms, prevention, and management of CKD, with particular emphasis on the importance of early detection and timely medical intervention.

3.    Screening program

The screening activities related program was carried out in two phases

• Phase 1: Prior to the screening program day
• Phase 2: Day of the screening program

Phase 1: Prior to the program

Serum creatinine method currently used at Deltota hospital is the Jaffe method which is not the currently accepted gold standard. Therefore, this needed to be validated in comparison with the standard Enzymatic method used at Teaching Hospital Peradeniya Laboratory.  Dr. Zeenath Thaneefa, Consultant Chemical Pathologist at Teaching Hospital Peradeniya calibrated and conducted a pilot comparative study to provide guidance on the use of the currently existing method of creatinine estimation at Deltota Hospital. 

Initially, patients diagnosed with  Hypertension or Diabetes Mellitus who are at high-risk of CKD were selected from the medical clinics at Divisional Hospital Deltota. Blood and urine samples were collected from them ahead of the screen clinic date to assess serum creatinine and urine protein using a dipstick test and Urine Full Report. This screening procedure was carried out over a period of approximately 1-month.

A total of 230 patients participated in this screening process. Based on the test results, patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of ≤60 ml/min/1.73m², or those with urine protein values of trace or higher (1+, 2+, 3+ etc.), were considered as screening positive for CKD.

Phase 2: Day of the screening program

On the day of the program, both CKD-positive and CKD-negative patients were further evaluated by the medical staff from Nephrology unit of Teaching Hospital Peradeniya. Patients identified as CKD-screening positive were referred to the Nephrology Clinic at Teaching Hospital Peradeniya for further assessment and specialized management. Patients who were CKD- screening negative were provided with guidance and counselling on maintaining kidney health through appropriate lifestyle practices and preventive measures. They were advised for annual screening for CKD.

4.    Conclusion and Acknowledgment

• Closing remarks and gratitude expressed to all contributors.
• Refreshments were provided to all the patients attended as a gesture of appreciation for their participation in the program.
• A discussion was held with the key administrative and medical authorities of the hospital to explore ways of continuing the screening initiative in a sustainable manner in the future.
• Appreciation tokens were presented to the speakers and the staff members of Divisional Hospital Deltota who extended their support in organizing and successfully conducting the program.

Outcomes and Impact

• 230 patients attended the program.
• The participants showed great enthusiasm and actively engaged in the program, reflecting an increased awareness of the importance of early detection and preventive healthcare practices.
• 24.8% (58 out of 230) tested positive at the CKD screening and were referred to the Nephrology clinic at THP for further assessment and treatment. This is a high number than anticipated which further highlighted the importance of CKD screening in this region.

Assistance to Continue Education

A boy with kidney disease from Muthur, Trincomalee requested a laptop computer to continue his higher studies. This boy has lost both his parents during his childhood and has been brought up by an uncle. A brand-new valuable computer was donated to him by Dr. Thilak Abeysekara.

On the request of parents, the society donated a valuable laptop to a boy in grade 8 from Gampaha. This boy has undergone a kidney transplant and also on treatment for poor vision. He is a talented child and has won an award to a book he has written..

Helping Hand for Self-employment

A valuable sewing machine was donated to a mother with a child with kidney disease from Walimada. This family was badly affected by the Ditwah cyclone. This mother requested a sewing machine to earn a living. This generous donation was by Mrs. Nayana Wijesuriya.

A valuable sewing machine was donated by Mrs. Muzeena Mansoor to a seamstress having a child on Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis..

Donation of School Stationery and School Bags – 2026

School bags with school stationery were given to selected 15 children for the year 2026. The recipients were children with kidney disease and schooling children of adult patients with kidney disease affected by the Ditwah cyclone.

These school bags with school stationery were donated to the Peradeniya Kidney Protection Society by Mrs. Renuza Bary and her friends.

On a request by the paediatric dialysis unit, 12 bundles of school books were donated by Mr. Anslem Nanayakkara to the children on haemodialysis and their schooling siblings.

Eye Camp

An eye camp organized by the Peradeniya Kidney Protection Society was held for the patients with kidney disease and their families on 11th October, 2025 at Subodharama temple, Peradeniya.

Sixty-one participants went through the screening and examined.  Of them, 50 having poor vision received ideal spectacles free of charge.  Another 6 participants got spectacle frames.  Three having other eye issues were referred to the eye hospital. Three participants were found as having normal eyes.

The spectacles were donated by a group of friends living in Germany.

Educational Program to commemorate ‘The World Kidney Day’

Organized and conducted by the Peradeniya Kidney Protection Society & Centre for Education, Research, and Training in Kidney Disease (CERTKiD)

Theme : "Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health"

Date     : 7th March 2025
Venue  : Amunugama Thennakoon Wimalananda Maha Vidyalaya

Objectives

• To enhance knowledge regarding risk factors, prevention, and early detection of kidney diseases.
• To educate students, staff and parents on maintaining kidney health.
• To encourage students' creativity through an art competition focused on kidney health awareness.

Educational Sessions

• Session 1 (Grade 6-9):*"Keep Your Kidneys Happy: Easy and Healthy Ways to Prevent urinary tract infections"
  - Speaker: Dr. Gayanath Rathnathilake
• Session 2 (Grade 10-11): "Save Your Kidneys: Say No to Unhealthy Habits"
  - Speaker: Dr. Dula Alwis
• Session 3 (Parents and Teachers): "Prevention and Early Detection of Kidney Disease"
  - Speaker: Prof. Rajitha Abeysekera

The audience participated in an enthusiastic discussion at the end of this session

Art Competition

• Organized under three age categories covering 3 themes
  - Grade 6-9: "Water is the Best Drink for My Kidneys"
  - Grade 10-11: "Protecting My Kidneys for a Healthy Future"
   - Grade 12-13: "Kidney Health: Prevention is Better than Cure"
• Seven winners were awarded with a certificate and a prize
• All the students who participated were also given a gift to appreciate their participation

A leaflet with messages on kidney disease and its prevention was distributed to take the message home

The program was concluded with refreshments for all participants

Joy for children project – Outcome report

Team from the Committee: Prof N Ratnatunga, Dr. Devani Dissanayake, Dr. Daphne De Zoysa, Mrs. Sumithra Ekanayake, Miss. Dushyanthi Kalikotuwa, Mr. Sunanda Bandara

Data gathering: Mr. Sunanda Bandara with advice from Mr. Pallewatte regarding musical instruments and prices.

This project was to bring some light and joy into the lives of children with kidney disease. The Committee of the Peradeniya Kidney Protection Society identified 8 children who were from underprivileged families who wished to further their talents and hobbies.

The selected children's profile:

• 14 years boy – From Matale - Ves dance costume and Getaberaya
• 12 years girl – From Welimada – Guitar
• 15 years girl – From Menikhinne –Guitar
• 16 years girl – From Horawila Anuradhapura – Guitar
• 16 years boy – From Maha udagama - Serpina
• 10 years boy – From Sevanagala – small getaberaya
• 12 years boy – From Moneragala – Violin
• 16 years boy – From Ambewela – Getaberaya

The donors

• Getaberaya (Kohomba): Mrs. Sharmala Peiris, Dr. Devani Dissanayake
• Ves Dance Costume: Prof N  Ratnatunga
• Guitars- Kadence Brand: Dr. Daphne De Zoysa, Dr.Mala Nanayakkara, Dr. Glynis Ahamed, Mrs. Kishani Cader, Mrs. Veni Selvaraj, and, Dr. Kesara Ratnatunga in collaboration with Mr. Rusiri de Silva, Mr. Lalindra ,  and the Directors of M.L.C. Caderamanpulle (Pvt) Ltd, all of the Yamaha music center
• Serpina / Harmonium with 9 knobs: Dr. Ruvan Ekanayaka, in collaboration with Mr. P.Devanandan, Mr.V. Nadaraja, Mr. Anoj Chandrasegaran, Mr. Nazran of Pharma Associates, and Mr.Ruban of Sai Sangeetha
• Violin: Dr. O.S.G. Silva
• Two small Getabera : Dr. Tilak Abeysekara

The project proposal was circulated to a selected population of prospective donors. The response was tremendous. The Directors of M.L.C. Caderamanpulle Pvt Ltd, co-ordinated by Mr. Rusiri de Silva gave 3 Kadence guitars free of charge. Mr. Ruban of Sai Sangeetha, gave us a good price for the Serpina. This was paid for by Pharma Associates.

The items were handed over to the parents and child on the day they visited the clinic. The bus fare and three-wheel fares were paid for them to carry back their instruments.

Completed School Project: 2024

The Peradeniya Kidney Protection Society initiated a short project to assist children with kidney disease to further their education. 22 children in need of school stationery, school bags, shoes etc were selected. The items were purchased and handed over to the parents and children.
The team comprised Committee Members and Donors.

Donation of Dialysis Chairs – March 2024

Two Dialysis Chairs were donated to the Adult Renal Unit, Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, by the Raddegoda Trust, Kurunegala.  This generous donation was mediated by Mr. M.A.M. Ifham.

Workshop "Making Ornamental Items out of Coconut Shells"

We conducted a very successful work shop on “making ornamental items out of coconut shells “ for patients and parents of children with kidney disease on the 27th September 2022 at the Teaching Hospital Peradeniya with an aim to promote self employment. The idea, organisation and the sponsorship are from Mr. Anslem Nanayakkara and Mr. Priyankara Bandara - our social workers and their team coordinated the event. We are grateful to the support extended by the Director and the staff of the Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya.

Opening Ceremony of the Renal Care Unit, Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya

The Renal Care Unit of the Teaching Hospital Peradeniya was formally declared open by the Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Keheliya Rambukwella on the 7^th of January 2022. The dream of having such a unit at the Teaching Hospital Peradeniya was finally realized ……. years after commencement of the building. It is with great pride that the Peradeniay Kidney Protection Society records the great contribution made by the society towards this project. Rupees 58 million worth building material, equipment, furniture, medical curtains and other essential items was given to this project by the society.

The Society gratefully acknowledges the donors whose generosity was the key to the success of this project. The details are given in the chart below. Our next project is to acquire a vehicle for the use of the kidney patients.