NKF was inaugurated on 7 April 1969, on World Health Day, by President Yusof Ishak.

In September 1982, NKF officially opened its first dialysis centre at the Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital.

In July 2005, a new board and management team was formed for a leaner, cost-effective NKF, after former CEO, T.T Durai, and directors stepped down due to breach of fiduciary duties, among others.

[5] Following a recovery from the scandal, Chairman Gerard Ee, handed over the reins in 2012 to Koh Poh Tiong.

NKF also works with local media, healthcare and social agencies, grass-roots organisations, and institutions to disseminate health messages.

NKF also promotes Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) allowing kidney patients to have more flexibility and control of their lifestyle, by undergoing treatment at home.