The COVID-19 pandemic state is going on much longer than expected. I hope you are safe and well.

I am going to report you what recently happened inside the APSDA and share the information on the upcoming events of the APSDA.

APSDA congress

The opening of the 5th APSDA congress in Taiwan is approaching. I would like to thank the local organizing committee for the excellent scientific program. The program covers most basic and advanced materials of dialysis access care. Particularly, it is very meaningful for us to have an international symposium involving 6 organizations (APSDA, ISN, JSDA, VAS, VASA, and GEMAV). I believe that the cooperative activity of APSDA with other organizations will facilitate the growing of the APSDA quantitatively and qualitatively. To increase the number of participants, the organizing committee has extended the early bird registration deadline to October 31, 2021 and lowered the registration fee for overseas virtual conference attendees. I would like to ask you all to encourage your colleagues and fellows to register the congress.

Next APSDA Congress

Dr. Sampathkumar (Education Committee Chair) kindly confirmed to take up the 6th APSDA congress in India in 2022. Information on the date and venue will be announced in detail soon. We hope that international travel will resume by that time, and we can have an in-person congress in India.

Agreement between APSDA and JSDA, between APSDA and VAS

Agreement for Delegate Exchange between the APSDA and the Japanese Society for Dialysis Access (JSDA), and between the APSDA and the Vascular Access Society (VAS) was made. One or two delegates from one society will be invited to attend the annual/biannual meeting of the other society, and vice versa. This agreement will be mutually beneficial and serve to improve the field of vascular access, enhance patient care, and develop the societies. Both agreements started from September 1, 2021. Until now, APSDA made agreements with GEMAV, JSDA, and VAS. Agreement documents were attached and will be posted on our homepage.

Election of the President-elect

It is time to elect the APSDA President-elect. According to bylaws of the APSDA, Dr. David Voss (Nominating Committee Chair) will proceed with the voting process. Please attend the vote.

Council meeting

Virtual council meeting is scheduled at 12:15~13:15 (GMT+8 time zone, including Taiwan, China) on Dec. 12 (Sunday) during the congress. Organizer will send us the conference password and link a few days before the council meeting. Meeting agenda will be distributed soon, and the results of the election of the president-elect will be announced at the meeting. I am sorry that we cannot have an in-person council meeting, however, please save the date, and participate in the meeting.

ISN Interventional Nephrology Scholarship and APSDA

As you know, the ISN has selected 12 ISN Interventional Nephrology Training Centers for the first time and 4 centers (Japan, Republic of Korea, India, Malaysia) in Asian Pacific countries were selected. ISN Interventional Nephrology Scholarships were awarded to 13 nephrologists in this inaugural year. Out of 13 applicants, 5 applicants were from Asian countries and 7 applicants will be trained in centers in Asian countries.

Reviewing process and outcome of the application for the ISN Interventional Nephrology Scholarship suggested some important realities for us. Majority of the applicants were from Asian countries and African countries, and success rate for the scholarship seemed to be less than 25% (I do not know the exact rate). It indicates that many Asian nephrologists need interventional nephrology training and lack such training opportunities. I think APSDA should step up to solve this problem and this is something APSDA should actively do. I would like to submit this issue as an agenda to council meeting for discussion.

Future APSDA Congress

We need to decide on the place of APSDA Congress 2023 and 2024. If any council member wants to hold future APSDA Congress in his country, please let me know no later than November 26th, 2021.

Stay safe, and although virtually, I am looking forward to seeing you soon.

Best regards,

Yong-Soo Kim
President of APSDA