Chronic kidney disease now affects roughly 1 in 10 people globally, yet most patients do not realise they have it until the illness has already advanced, prompting specialists to push for routine screening and aggressive risk-factor control on the occasion of World Kidney Day 2026. Mankind Pharma, in association with leading clinicians, has used the awareness day to highlight the scale of the problem and the fact that kidney damage can remain silent even after losing up to 90 per cent of function.
Kidneys perform essential functions that include filtering waste from the blood, balancing fluids, regulating blood pressure and supporting key metabolic processes, but the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are typically symptom-free. Global estimates suggest that CKD affects around 850 million people, with approximately 10 to 14 per cent of adults living with some degree of kidney impairment. In India, the burden is particularly heavy, with around 138 million people estimated to have CKD and studies indicating that 13 to 17 per cent of adults may be affected, many of them undiagnosed.
Experts warn that this hidden progression means many patients first present only when kidney function has declined severely, limiting treatment options and increasing the likelihood of dialysis or transplant. “Chronic kidney disease often progresses silently and remains undetected until it reaches advanced stages,” said Dr Anant Kumar, Chairman of Urology, Renal Transplant and Robotics at Max Saket. He stressed that individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity or a family history of kidney disease should undergo regular screening through simple tests such as blood creatinine, urine analysis and blood pressure monitoring, adding that early diagnosis can slow disease progression and improve outcomes.
India’s treatment gap underlines the scale of the challenge. Clinicians estimate that the country needs about 200,000 kidney transplants annually, but only around 13,500 are carried out, leaving the vast majority of patients without access to definitive therapy. The organ donation rate remains below one donor per million population, far lower than in many high-income countries, which further constrains transplant capacity. As a result, prevention, early detection and preservation of kidney function have become central to public health discussions around CKD.
Rising rates of diabetes and hypertension, coupled with ageing populations and lifestyle changes, are driving the global increase in kidney disease, and India is no exception. The country is often described as a diabetes capital, and both high blood sugar and uncontrolled blood pressure are major risk factors for kidney damage. Diets high in salt, low intake of fruits and vegetables, sedentary habits and widespread use of over-the-counter painkillers that can harm the kidneys further compound the problem.
On World Kidney Day, Mankind Pharma’s campaign has focused on encouraging people, especially those at higher risk, to proactively monitor blood pressure, blood sugar and kidney function through basic laboratory tests. “World Kidney Day serves as an important reminder that prevention and early detection are key to tackling the growing burden of kidney disease,” said Arjun Juneja, Chief Operating Officer at Mankind Pharma. He noted that promoting regular health screenings, healthier lifestyle choices and better awareness of kidney health can empower people to protect their long-term wellbeing.
As part of the initiative, the company and participating experts are also highlighting simple behavioural measures that can support kidney health, including staying physically active, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, regularly checking blood pressure, moderating salt intake, staying adequately hydrated and avoiding unnecessary use of painkillers. Physicians emphasise that such steps, combined with early screening in high-risk groups, can delay progression to advanced CKD, reduce cardiovascular complications and ease pressure on dialysis and transplant services.
With CKD now recognised as a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, nephrologists and public health advocates argue that kidney health needs to move higher on policy agendas. They say World Kidney Day offers a recurring opportunity to remind both the public and health systems that quiet diseases can have some of the loudest consequences if left unchecked.
