Pakistan Grapples with Soaring Kidney Disease Cases as Global Burden intensifies
Table of Contents
- Pakistan Grapples with Soaring Kidney Disease Cases as Global Burden intensifies
- The Escalating Crisis in Pakistan
- World Kidney Day: A Call to Action
- Key Risk Factors and Vulnerable Populations
- The Need for Screening and Prevention
- Healthcare Spending and Advocacy
- pakistan Society of Nephrology Initiatives
- Call to Action for Government and Healthcare Professionals
- Conclusion: A Collective Effort for Kidney Health
- Pakistan’s Kidney Disease Crisis: A Looming Threat & Urgent Call to Action
Islamabad – The global prevalence of kidney disease is reaching critical levels, affecting an estimated 850 million people worldwide. kidney disease is currently the eighth leading cause of death globally, and projections indicate it will rise to fifth place by 2040. Pakistan is preparing for a significant increase in cases.by 2025, the country is projected to have approximately 25,000 new end-stage kidney disease patients requiring either dialysis or a kidney transplantation. This escalating health crisis demands immediate attention and strategic interventions to mitigate its impact on the nation’s healthcare system and economy.
Professor K H Mujtaba Quadri, Head of the Nephrology Department at Maroof International Hospital, recently addressed the media in connection with World Kidney Day, shedding light on the critical situation.He emphasized the urgent need for early detection and extensive care to mitigate the impact of this growing epidemic. World Kidney Day, observed this week, carried the theme “are your kidneys OK? Detect early, protect kidney health,” underscoring the importance of proactive screening and early intervention.
The Escalating Crisis in Pakistan
While a conservative estimate suggests 25,000 new cases of end-stage kidney disease in Pakistan by 2025,Professor Quadri believes the actual figure could be much higher,possibly doubling the initial projection.This discrepancy highlights the challenges in accurately assessing the true scope of the problem due to limited access to healthcare and diagnostic facilities in many parts of the country.
A more accurate figure may be closer to 50,000. Though,only a quarter may have access to dialysis or transplantation.
Professor K H Mujtaba Quadri, Head of the Nephrology Department at Maroof International Hospital
This stark reality underscores the significant gap in access to essential treatment for those suffering from kidney failure in Pakistan. The lack of resources and infrastructure poses a major challenge in addressing this escalating health crisis, potentially leaving thousands without the life-saving care they desperately need.
World Kidney Day: A Call to Action
Observed this week, World Kidney Day 2025 carried the theme “are your kidneys OK? Detect early, protect kidney health”. This theme highlights the importance of proactive screening and early intervention to prevent the progression of kidney disease. The annual event serves as a global platform to raise awareness about kidney health and advocate for policies that promote prevention and access to care.
Key Risk Factors and Vulnerable Populations
Professor quadri identified several major risk factors contributing to kidney disease,including:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Obesity
- Family history of kidney disease
He also noted other significant factors such as acute kidney injury,pregnancy-related kidney diseases,autoimmune diseases,congenital anomalies,obstructive uropathy,and kidney stones. Furthermore, Professor Quadri highlighted the unique challenges faced by low and middle-income countries, where environmental and socioeconomic factors can exacerbate the risk of kidney disease.
Low and middle-income countries also have a marked burden of heat stress in farm workers, snake bites, conventional remedies besides Hepatitis B, C, HIV and parasitic infections.
Professor K H Mujtaba Quadri, Head of the Nephrology Department at Maroof International Hospital
The Need for Screening and Prevention
Professor Quadri strongly advocated for targeted screening programs for high-risk populations.He recommended the following measures:
- Blood pressure measurements
- body mass index (BMI) assessment
- Urine tests
- Serum glycosylated hemoglobin testing
- Creatinine level assessment
- Kidney function tests
These measures are crucial for early detection and intervention, potentially slowing the progression of kidney disease and preventing end-stage renal failure.Regular monitoring and proactive management of risk factors can significantly improve outcomes for individuals at risk.
Healthcare Spending and Advocacy
Professor Quadri expressed concern over Pakistan’s healthcare spending, noting that the country spent only 2.9 percent of its GDP on healthcare as of 2021,according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics 2021-22. He emphasized the urgent need for increased investment in healthcare infrastructure and resources, particularly in nephrology services.
Remarkable advocacy is now required to address inequities and disparities as was emphasised last year by the theme of World Kidney Day 2024.
Professor K H Mujtaba Quadri, Head of the Nephrology Department at Maroof International Hospital
Increased funding is essential to improve access to dialysis, transplantation, and other essential treatments for kidney disease patients. Addressing inequities in healthcare access is crucial to ensuring that all citizens have the chance to receive timely and effective care.
pakistan Society of Nephrology Initiatives
The Pakistan Society of Nephrology (PSN) is actively involved in addressing the kidney disease crisis through various initiatives, including advocacy, establishing clinical Nephrology standards, promoting academics, providing training on dialysis modalities, and scaling up kidney disease research. The PSN plays a vital role in advancing the field of nephrology in Pakistan and improving the quality of care for kidney disease patients.
Call to Action for Government and Healthcare Professionals
Professor Quadri urged the government to take immediate action to address the growing kidney disease burden. He emphasized the need for widespread screening programs, grants for kidney disease research, and subsidized costs for dialysis machines and associated supplies.These measures are essential to make kidney care more accessible and affordable for those in need.
the Nephrology community in Pakistan is committed to providing evidence-based kidney healthcare including widely accessible early detection and treatment modalities. The government must help with widespread screening programmes, provide grants for kidney disease research and subsidise and standardise costs of dialysis machines and associated supplies.
Professor K H Mujtaba Quadri, Head of the Nephrology Department at Maroof International Hospital
He also stressed the importance of training primary care clinicians and frontline health workers to integrate kidney disease testing into routine care for high-risk populations. This would help to improve early detection rates and ensure that more people receive timely treatment.
Conclusion: A Collective Effort for Kidney Health
The escalating kidney disease crisis in Pakistan demands a concerted effort from the government, healthcare professionals, and the community. Increased investment in healthcare, widespread screening programs, and early intervention strategies are crucial to mitigating the impact of this growing epidemic. By prioritizing kidney health, Pakistan can safeguard the well-being of its citizens and build a healthier future.
Pakistan’s Kidney Disease Crisis: A Looming Threat & Urgent Call to Action
Islamabad faces a silent epidemic: the escalating rates of kidney disease are threatening the nation’s health and economy. Are we prepared for the impact?
interviewer (Senior Editor, world-today-news.com): Dr. Fatima Khan, a leading nephrologist specializing in global health, welcome to world-today-news.com. Pakistan is facing a dramatic surge in kidney disease cases. Can you paint a picture of the current situation and the challenges ahead?
Dr. Khan: Thank you for having me. The situation in pakistan, and indeed many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), is deeply concerning. We’re witnessing a confluence of factors driving this crisis: rising rates of diabetes and hypertension, limited access to affordable healthcare, inadequate early detection strategies, and insufficient nephrology infrastructure. The projected increase in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) cases vastly surpasses the capacity of existing dialysis and transplant services, leaving many patients without life-saving treatment. This isn’t just a health concern; it’s a significant economic burden, affecting families and the nation’s productivity. Essentially,we’re facing a perfect storm.
Interviewer: The article mentions a significant discrepancy between projected and potentially actual cases of ESRD. What accounts for this disparity?
Dr. Khan: The estimate of new ESRD cases in Pakistan is inherently challenging due to several factors. Many cases go undiagnosed due to limited access to healthcare, particularly in rural areas. diagnostic facilities and expertise are often lacking in thes regions, causing a delay in diagnosis and potentially leading to more advanced disease stages. Further, the lack of widespread screening programs prevents early detection, letting the disease progress before being identified. Thus, the official figures represent only the tip of the iceberg; the true number of affected individuals likely substantially higher. This is a major weakness in national health protocols and contributes to this disparity. Therefore, we need to implement strategies to improve access to healthcare and expand diagnostic capabilities.
Interviewer: What are some of the key risk factors that contribute to this escalating crisis?
Dr. Khan: Multiple factors contribute to the problem. Diabetes and hypertension are well-established risk factors, often exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyles, including poor diet and lack of physical activity. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can also result from other conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity and autoimmune diseases. We also see a significant role played by environmental factors; exposure to heavy metals and toxins, especially among those in rural agricultural communities, increases the risk of developing kidney damage. we also see a larger impact of preventable diseases. this includes HIV,Hepatitis B and C infections which aren’t always addressed promptly.
Interviewer: What preventative measures can effectively reduce the incidence of kidney disease in Pakistan?
Dr. Khan: Prevention is paramount. It’s crucial to adopt a multi-pronged approach. This includes:
Promoting healthy lifestyles: Encouraging healthy diets, regular exercise, appropriate weight management, blood sugar and blood pressure control are essential to mitigate the key risk factors.
Widespread screening: Implementing nationwide, population-based screening programs focusing on high-risk groups (those wiht diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of kidney disease).
Early detection: Regular urine tests, blood pressure monitoring, and blood tests to assess kidney function are significant aspects of early diagnosis.
Raising awareness: Public health campaigns that increase awareness about kidney disease risk factors, symptoms, and the importance of early detection and management. Such campaigns should target both urban and rural areas, addressing literacy levels appropriately.
Interviewer: What role does the healthcare system play in addressing this crisis?
Dr. Khan: The healthcare system needs a significant overhaul. This requires increased investment in nephrology services, including dialysis units and transplant facilities, along with training more nephrologists and other healthcare professionals to manage CKD. Improving access to affordable medication and dialysis treatments is critical for those existing patients in need.It’s also about expanding access to healthcare in underserved and rural areas where access is currently limited.
Interviewer: What’s the call to action for the government and healthcare providers?
Dr. Khan: The Pakistani government should allocate more resources towards kidney health initiatives. This includes funding for CKD research, promoting disease awareness and prevention programs, and bolstering the capacity of the healthcare system to manage the rising number of cases. Healthcare providers must play a critical role in early detection and treatment. Incorporating kidney function testing into routine check-ups, especially for patients with other risk factors, is essential. Importantly, there is a need to train healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat kidney disease more effectively, given the current demand.
Interviewer: What is the overall outlook, and what gives you hope?
Dr. Khan: The situation is severe but not hopeless. increased awareness,early detection,and effective management can significantly improve outcomes. The progress being made by the pakistan Society of Nephrology (PSN) in advocacy, education, and research offers hope. strong collaboration between the government, healthcare professionals, and communities is key to building a lasting change. We need a unified commitment to improving kidney health in Pakistan.
Interviewer: Dr. Khan, thank you for sharing your expertise and insights with us today. This conversation is vital to raising awareness.
Dr. Khan: Thank you. Let’s hope that the international community joins Pakistan in combatting this growing epidemic. We’re all in this together.I urge our readers to learn more about kidney health, share this interview, and support initiatives promoting better kidney care access for all.