World View

The diagnosis of glomerular disease relies largely on meticulous histological and laboratory investigations that continue to improve with technological advances. However, low-income countries such as Uganda lack this investigatory armamentarium and patients are often treated on the basis of suboptimal evidence.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a global concern that affects patient outcomes and resource utilization. An effective educational programme aimed at improving early AKI identification, triaging and treatment, using risk scores and care bundles coupled with access to point-of-care diagnostics, can help to prevent AKI-related deaths in regions with limited resources.

Mentoring is an essential component of scientific leadership and can have a profound impact on the development and life course of the mentee. Isi Ero-Tolliver, Dean of the School of Science at Hampton University, describes the life-changing and long-lasting effects of mentorship and why it is important to invest time and effort in mentoring.

To quote Nelson Mandela, “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”. Education and training have changed the world of nephrology in Africa for many patients and their physicians, but most low- and middle-income countries still lack access to affordable therapies for kidney disease.

Interruptions to dialysis services in resource-limited settings, like India, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted our ill-preparedness. We need alternative plans to safeguard the provision of this life-sustaining treatment and protect our vulnerable patients.

As witnesses to the health consequences of social discrimination, clinicians are uniquely positioned to build coalitions of stakeholders to address inequities and drive change. Such civic engagement is needed to ensure that all populations are given the opportunity to thrive.

Ameliorating the inequitable burden of kidney disease that is experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is an achievable goal. Genuine and committed partnerships between the Australian government, health-care providers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are imperative to maximize the success of health equity initiatives.

Millions of people in under-privileged regions of the world continue to drink heavily polluted water and die from diarrhoea-related acute kidney injury whilst world super-powers continue to offer military aid to these regions. This gun aid must convert into water aid.

Brazil has been severely affected by the novel coronavirus. At a time when the country needs to concentrate on controlling and fighting the virus, President Bolsonaro has minimized the importance of the pandemic and focused on political battles.