The Education for the Developing
Countries: Sharing Books and
Professional Experiences on the Web
Presented at
cyberNephrology: A New Opportunity for the Profession
A Tutorial and Interactive Seminar
Michele L. Hales
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB CANADA
November 24, 2000
Bologna, Italy
Programs of Interest
COMGAN (Commission on Global Advancement
of Nephrology)
RENAL-TECH Computer Donation Project
Educational/Teaching Resources
Discussion Groups (NephDevel)
COMGAN
Purpose Aid regions of the world where a need for better renal care is
foremost
Goal  Provide assistance to these areas via ISN programs such as:
- the fellowship program
- president’s CME program
- library enhancement program
- travel grants
- slides on Renal Parenchymal Diseases & Hypertension
- visiting scholar’s program
- scholarship training program
http://www.isn-online.org
COMGAN – Cont’d
Organization & Leadership –
 Formed as a Commission of ISN in 1995
 Chaired by Dr. John Dirks of the University of
Toronto and Toronto Hospital
 5 working subcommittees that cover the globe:
1. Africa
2. Asia
3. Central and South America
4. Eastern and Central Europe
5. Commonwealth of Independent States (former Soviet
Union) and Middle East
COMGAN – Cont’d
Activities  Most work is that of fact-finding missions, site
visits and short courses
 Courses
1. Moscow, June 1997 – 350 in attendance
2. Istanbul, July 1997 – 800 in attendance
 Partnering with other organizations & societies
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
American Society of Nephrology (ASN)
Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology (APSN)
European Renal Association (ERA)
European Society of Paediatric Nephrology (ESPN)
Society of Latin American Nephrology & Hypertension
Renal-Tech Donation Project
Established by Zina Munoz to provide
for computer education and linkage in
developing countries



http://www.renal-tech.org
Cooperative program with the ISN
Donate computer hardware and
software
Provide computer/Internet training
to renal units in developing
countries as well as to families of
children with renal disease in the
US
Pilot Program in Nepal - June, 1998
 In June of 1998, the Renal-Tech Project initiated its
first on-site pilot program.
 Eight computers, six laptops and two desktop units
were donated to three hospitals in the greater
Kathmandu area
 The computers were donated by Toshiba Corporation
of Japan, Compaq Corporation, and Lucky Computers.
 Members on the team participated in various functions
- medical lectures
- lectures on internet’s use in medical settings
- training and demonstration of equipment
Renal-Tech Donations To Date
 Nepal (June 1998)
 Nigeria
 Cuba (Spring 1999)
 Argentina
 Kosovo (December 1999 & May 2000)
Focus on Kosovo – June 2000
Renal-Tech’s Main Goal
To expand communication between
Renal-Tech and the recipients so that
there remains a sharing of knowledge
and information to benefit the worldwide
community of renal patients.
Educational/Teaching Resources
 Schrier Atlas of Diseases of the Kidney
(to be distributed free to developing
countries)
 ISN Video Legacy CD-ROM
 Banff Allograft Pathology Conference
WWW site content placed on CD-ROM
 Educational Slides on Renal Parenchymal
Diseases and Hypertension
Schrier’s
 5 volumes
66 chapters
 2500 Images
 Entire product on-line in searchable form
at www.kidneyatlas.org
http://www.kidneyatlas.org
ISN Video Legacy Project

This project is headed by Drs. Stewart Cameron and
Kim Solez
 Twenty- three interviews with nephrologists of
exceptional merit, have been recorded to date
 The first CD-ROM came out in 1997
 5000 copies were made and distributed in North
America and Europe
 A new CD is currently in the works and should be
available in 2001
 The Commission attempts to include both
Bibliography and CV in the CDs
Banff Conference on Allograft Pathology
CD-ROMS Produced:
 Third Banff Conference (1995)
 Fourth Banff Conference (1997)
 Fifth Banff Conference (1999)
Features:
 More than 400 full colour images
 Many of the presentations are accompanied by a full-text
abstract
 Full text search capabilities
 Links to World Wide Web
 Conference video segments
 Easy to use interface
Renal Education
Keeping Physicians Updated:
 Through the Internet, physicians can quickly
consult experts anywhere in the world about
local problems.
 Part of the Renal-Tech mandate is to provide
continued support for physicians and support
personnel about dialysis, transplant issues
and general nephrology or computer queries
 CD-ROMs can be easily created and sent to
developing countries
Our Goals
 Link all world countries together through a
global nephrology e-mail system
 Create a natural disaster response program
through the Internet that can help direct
rescue efforts worldwide
 Create an educational program that can
either be transported to developing countries
through the Internet or CD-ROM
 Grow the Renal-Tech project
 Continued prosperity of COMGAN
Conclusion
We have strived to offer the desired continued
educational resources to developing countries
by providing the following:
 Technical support
 WWW sites
 E-mail discussion groups
 Educational content on CD-ROM
 Computer hardware and software
Special Thanks
Dirks – Director, COMGAN
 Zina Munoz – Director, Renal-Tech
 Gary Green – Director, of New Technologies NKF
 John Daugirdas – cyberNephrology Board Member
 Steve Fadem – cyberNephrology Board Member
 Robert Schrier – cyberNephrology Board Member
 John
FOR MORE INFO...
Michele.Hales@UAlberta.CA