Department of Medicine

Nephrology Section

The Section of Nephrology in the Department of Medicine has seven faculty members: four full-time, two part-time, and one honorary, who have specialised training and expertise in acute and chronic kidney diseases and associated diseases. In addition, members have expertise in research methodologies and ethics. The section is responsible for care of all patients with kidney disease and the training of internal medicine interns and residents. The faculty also provides consultation services to Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Intensive Care Units and other medical specialties, both in ambulatory and inpatient settings. Members of the section are also active in undergraduate teaching, curriculum development and research. The faculty organises and runs a number of weekly clinical meetings and participates in Continuing Medical Education (CME) activities throughout the year.

Services

The Section of Nephrology provides services for acute and chronic kidney diseases, acute kidney injury (acute renal failure), kidney stones, acid base and electrolyte abnormalities, haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and continuous renal replacement therapy.

Upcoming Services

Efforts are underway to start specialised dedicated Hypertension Clinic and Post kidney Transplant Clinic.

Research Activities/Programmes

The Section has an active and flourishing population-based research programme in hypertension and chronic kidney diseases in collaboration with the Clinical Epidemiology Unit, which is also led by Dr Tazeen Jafar, the Section Head of Nephrology. Funded by major external awards, the research team is exploring innovative ways to combat rising epidemic of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease in the South Asian population.

Research projects include population-based hypertension control programme, General Practitioner education and home health education, Analysis of the National Health Survey of Pakistan, Estimation of Burden and Markers of Chronic Kidney Disease, Optimal Blood Pressure Lowering Medications in South Asians, Comparison of Low Fat versus Low Carbohydrate Diet for Reducing Weight in Obese Subjects, Role of Physical Activity in Lowering Blood Pressure and Perceptions of Obesity amongst adolescent population.

Educational Programmes/Undergraduate and Postgraduate Training

• A comprehensive three-year postgraduate Nephrology Residency programme;
• Renal Core Curriculum Teaching to Medicine Residents;
• Renal tutorials to phase III medical students.

Nephrology Section Aga Khan University