Revamped centre envisaged to be Singapore’s leading kidney health education hub

In a major boost to public kidney health education, Keppel Ltd., through its philanthropic arm, Keppel Care Foundation, has pledged $1 million to revamp The National Kidney Foundation (NKF)’s Kidney Discovery Centre (KDC). The centre, set to reopen in July 2025, will feature state-of-the-art technology and interactive exhibits to inspire kidney health awareness and proactive disease prevention.

First launched in 2011, the KDC occupies a 300-square-metre space at NKF’s Kim Keat headquarters. The transformation will introduce cutting-edge features such as augmented reality displays and hands-on lab experiments that simulate kidney functions and highlight early signs of kidney disease. Visitors will gain insights into treatment options like kidney transplant and dialysis while wellness exhibits will emphasise preventive care, healthy living, and the importance of kidney screening. 

The revamped KDC aligns with NKF’s mission to tackle kidney disease through education, early detection, and community outreach. 500,000 people in Singapore suffer from chronic kidney disease and are at an increased risk of progressing to kidney failure. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease is projected to reach 24.3% by 2035, according to projections by experts. By engaging some 10,000 visitors annually – including students, families, community groups and corporate visitors – the new KDC aims to inspire lifestyle changes that foster kidney health and spark community-wide efforts to combat kidney disease. 

Mr Loh Chin Hua, CEO of Keppel, said, “Keppel is proud to support initiatives that create lasting positive impacts in our communities. The revamped Kidney Discovery Centre will provide a valuable platform to raise awareness about kidney health and promote healthier lifestyle habits. We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with NKF to drive education and preventive efforts to combat kidney disease. It will also create further opportunities for Keppel staff volunteers to support NKF’s outreach initiatives.”

Keppel’s donation is part of the Great Singapore Give, which aims to inspire a culture of continuous giving. The Great Singapore Give is a national movement by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre in support of SG60.

Mr Tim Oei, CEO of NKF, added, “We are very grateful to Keppel for their generous support, without which this transformation would not have been possible.

“Chronic kidney disease has far-reaching consequences, not only for those affected but also their families. The new KDC is designed to connect deeply with today’s audience. By introducing immersive exhibits that resonate with modern lifestyles and challenges, we aim to nudge positive behaviours towards healthier living. We also want visitors to share the knowledge they have gained at the KDC with their friends and families, creating a ripple effect of awareness and prevention.”

Keppel’s partnership with NKF extends beyond this donation. Since 2017, Keppel’s staff have actively involved in NKF’s volunteer programmes, including befriending patients and delivering essential supplies. In 2020, Keppel also donated $2 million to NKF to establish its first dialysis centre co-located within Yishun Community Hospital and adjacent to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. This strategic integration ensures that dialysis patients benefit from seamless continuity of care through connected networks of healthcare teams, streamlined information flow and coordinated treatment care plans.

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