Rising Diabetes Fuels Kidney Disease, Say Experts

News Desk

Islamabad: Pakistan’s healthcare system is ill-equipped to handle the rising burden of kidney diseases, making early screening and prevention a pressing public health priority, experts warned on Monday.

Speaking at a three-day international conference organized by the Pakistan Society of Nephrology (PSN), its president, Dr Zahid Nabi, highlighted that Pakistan ranks third globally in diabetes prevalence, with nearly 40% of diabetic patients eventually developing kidney complications.

“If preventive measures are not introduced now, the burden of kidney disease will increase significantly over the next eight to ten years,” Dr Nabi said, urging the government to implement a nationwide screening program for early detection and timely treatment.

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Chronic kidney disease places a heavy financial strain on both patients and the healthcare system, he added, noting that Pakistan’s economy cannot sustain the long-term costs of dialysis and transplants on a large scale.

Dr. Nabi also stressed the importance of promoting deceased organ donation programs, explaining that brain-dead patients in intensive care could save multiple lives if families were properly informed and encouraged to consent.

This year’s PSN conference was organized at an international level, attracting around 15 foreign experts from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, and Bangladesh, alongside local specialists.

The event provided a platform for knowledge-sharing and offered young nephrologists opportunities to learn from senior clinicians through research presentations and clinical discussions.

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Dr Nabi also warned that individuals with diabetes, hypertension, or excessive use of painkillers are at higher risk for kidney disease.

He advised regular urine tests, kidney function tests, and ultrasounds for early diagnosis, emphasizing that awareness and professional training are key to improving kidney care across Pakistan.