COMGAN- Purpose,
Organisation, Leadership, Activities and Budget
Purpose:
The activities of COMGAN are aimed to reach out to countries and regions of the world
where the need for better renal care is foremost. COMGAN’s goal is to provide assistance
to these areas, when possible, via the many important programs offered by ISN such as: The
Fellowship Program; President’s Continuing Medical Education Programs; Library Enhancement
Program; Travel Grants; Educational Slides on Renal Parenchymal Diseases and Hypertension;
Visiting Scholar’s Program and the recently introduced Scholarship Training Program.
Organisation and Leadership:
COMGAN was formed as a Commission of ISN in 1995. Since its inception COMGAN has been
co-chaired by two senior nephrologists: Dr. Barry Brenner of Harvard Medical School and
Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and Dr. John Dirks of the University of Toronto and
Toronto Hospital. Drs. Brenner and Dirks oversee the five working subcommittees that cover
the globe as follows:
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
Each of the five subcommittees has seven or more members, who
individually serve, on average, for a three year term. A list of the 1997 COMGAN
subcommittee members is provided for those wishing to make contact.
Activities:
Much of COMGAN’s current work takes the form of fact-finding missions, site visits and
short courses. Attendance at these courses often exceeds expectations such as the case of
Moscow in June 1997 where 350 attended and Istanbul in July 1997 where 800 physicians,
nurses and technicians participated. Recently these courses have been offered in tandem
with courses, similarly focused, by the World Council of Renal Care. Partnerships with
other organizations and societies such as the American Society of Nephrology, the Asian
Pacific Society of Nephrology, the European Renal Association, the European Society of
Pediatric Nephrology and the Society of Latin American Nephrology and Hypertension have
brought positive benefits, such as speakers and expertise, to those areas where courses
have been conducted.
COMGAN subcommittee members actively promote new membership,
participate in, organize and research presentations and foster applications for Fellowship
and Visiting Scholar Programs from junior and senior physicians alike. Further activities
include the promotion of renal sister centre linkages and the Joint Membership Program.
Budget:
COMGAN currently receives funding in the amount of $125,000 USD to promote the various ISN
programs. Each of the five subcommittees receives an operating budget of $15,000 per
annum. While the latter amount does not support travel costs, speakers expenses etc. for
site visits and fact-finding missions, ISN has been generously assisted by industry and a
number of societies and funds in the developed world.
COMGAN, in keeping with the overall objectives of the International
Society of Nephrology, promotes these various initiatives as part of its commitment to
addressing the needs in renal medicine in the developing world.
Interested physicians are encouraged to contact subcommittee members
to make inquiries concerning any of the listed ISN programs.