India, with its vast population, confronts a concerning trend, which is a surge in chronic kidney disease (CKD). This condition becomes more common as people get older, with nearly half of those aged 75 and above experiencing some level of CKD. In India, the situation is alarming; over 17% of Indians are estimated to have CKD, which exceeds the global average. This means millions are suffering in silence, often diagnosed only when their condition is critical—over 50% are identified at a late stage. The consequences are dire, with 90% of those needing life-saving renal replacement therapy (RRT) unable to afford it and succumbing to the disease.
Various Factors Contribute To This Crisis
The escalating rates of diabetes and hypertension, the primary drivers of CKD, weigh heavily on the population. Additionally, the deficiency of nutrition affects nearly 28% of newborns, which causes Low Birthweight infants, which often leads to smaller kidney sizes and the birth of future kidney health problems. Environmental challenges, such as poor sanitation and water contamination, coupled with unequal access to healthcare, worsen the situation, particularly in rural areas where diagnosis and treatment are often out of reach.
Managing Chronic Kidney Disease
India faces challenges in managing chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to inadequate healthcare systems, limited availability of dialysis centres, and difficulty in finding nephrologists, who are primarily located in urban areas. Rural areas lack adequate care, and those with CKD and their families struggle to afford treatment due to high costs. Preventing and treating CKD also challenges risk factors and early detection methods. To address these issues, collaboration is needed to improve the healthcare system, make treatments more affordable, and increase general awareness about CKD. This will help alleviate the burden on affected individuals and improve overall health outcomes.
Many Kidney Disease Patients Remain Unaware Due To Symptom Absence
About 50% discover advanced CKD when nearing the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) like Hemodialysis, Peritoneal dialysis, or Renal transplantation. In India, Hemodialysis is most common, followed by transplantation, with Peritoneal dialysis lagging. Tragically, over 90% of RRT-needing patients perish without commencing due to financial constraints.
- Even among those who start, 60% halt treatment due to financial strain. Furthermore, a scarcity of nephrologists exacerbates the issue, with only 2600 serving a population of ~1.3 billion, mostly in urban areas.
- Addressing chronic kidney disease (CKD) in India demands a comprehensive strategy, considering that over 17% of the population is affected. Diabetes, hypertension, and limited access to health care are just a few of the factors driving this significant impact.
- Effective solutions must prioritise prevention, early detection, and affordable treatment options, necessitating collaboration across sectors.
- Strengthening infrastructure, increasing awareness, and fostering community engagement are essential steps to alleviate the burden of CKD and improve health outcomes for millions.