New Delhi, Mar 10:On the occasion of World Kidney Day, Mankind Pharma, in association with leading healthcare experts, is calling for greater awareness around kidney health, highlighting that chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects nearly 10% of the global population and is often detected only at advanced stages due to the absence of early warning signs.
Kidneys play a vital role in maintaining overall health by filtering waste, balancing fluids, regulating blood pressure and supporting several metabolic functions in the body. However, one of the biggest challenges with kidney disease is that it often develops silently. Medical experts warn that an individual can lose up to 90% of kidney function without noticeable symptoms, making early screening and preventive care critical.
As part of its World Kidney Day initiative, Mankind Pharma is promoting awareness around kidney health and the importance of early detection through educational outreach and expert-led discussions. The initiative also focuses on encouraging individuals to proactively monitor key health indicators such as blood pressure, blood sugar and kidney function through simple diagnostic tests.
India is currently facing a growing kidney health crisis. According to global health studies, nearly 138 million people in India are living with chronic kidney disease, making it the second-highest burden of CKD globally. Research also suggests that 13–17% of adults in the country may be living with some stage of kidney disease, many of whom remain undiagnosed until the condition has significantly progressed.
The treatment burden is equally concerning. Experts estimate that India requires nearly 200,000 kidney transplants every year, but only about 13,500 transplants are performed, meeting less than 6% of the actual demand. The shortage of organ donors continues to be a major challenge, with India’s organ donation rate remaining below one donor per million population, far lower than many developed nations. In India, the rising prevalence of diabetes and hypertension continues to drive the growing burden of chronic kidney disease. Lifestyle factors such as high-salt diets, unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles further increase the risk. With India often referred to as the diabetes capital of the world, experts emphasise that individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity or a family history of kidney disease must be particularly vigilant about regular health check-ups.
Dr. Anant Kumar, Chairman – Urology, Renal Transplant and Robotics, Max Saket Complex and Uro-Oncology, MSSH Saket, said,
“Chronic kidney disease often progresses silently and remains undetected until it reaches advanced stages. 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. Early diagnosis plays a crucial role in slowing the progression of the disease and improving patient outcomes.”
Arjun Juneja, COO, Mankind Pharma said,
“World Kidney Day serves as an important reminder that prevention and early detection are key to tackling the growing burden of kidney disease. By encouraging regular health screenings, promoting healthier lifestyle choices and raising awareness about kidney health, we aim to empower individuals to take proactive steps toward protecting their long-term health.”
As part of the awareness campaign, the company is also highlighting the importance of following simple preventive practices for kidney health. These include staying physically active, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, regularly monitoring blood pressure, following a balanced diet with controlled salt intake, staying well hydrated, avoiding the unnecessary use of painkillers and undergoing routine kidney function tests, particularly for individuals at higher risk.
Experts stress that timely screening, better lifestyle choices and increased public awareness can play a critical role in preventing kidney disease and slowing its progression. With the burden of CKD continuing to rise globally and in India, World Kidney Day serves as an important opportunity to encourage individuals to prioritise kidney health and adopt preventive healthcare practices.
