Early kidney screening gains urgency as Mankind Pharma flags silent CKD risk on World Kidney Day

Dr. Anant Kumar, Chairman, Urology, Renal Transplant and Robotics, Max Saket Complex, and Uro Oncology, MSSH Saket, said chronic kidney disease can progress without symptoms, while Arjun Juneja of Mankind Pharma called for regular screening as India faces a rising kidney disease burden.

New Delhi: Early screening for chronic kidney disease is gaining renewed attention on World Kidney Day as Mankind Pharma, along with healthcare experts, highlights the scale of a condition that affects nearly 10 percent of the global population and is often detected only after significant damage has already occurred.
Kidneys support several essential functions in the body, including filtering waste, balancing fluids, regulating blood pressure and maintaining metabolic health. Experts said one of the biggest concerns is that chronic kidney disease can progress silently, with individuals losing up to 90 percent of kidney function before noticeable symptoms appear. That makes regular screening and preventive care particularly important, especially for people already at higher risk.

India is facing a growing burden of kidney disease. Global health studies cited by the company indicate that nearly 138 million people in the country are living with chronic kidney disease, giving India the second highest burden globally. Research also suggests that 13 to 17 percent of adults in India may be living with some stage of kidney disease, with many cases remaining undiagnosed until the condition has advanced significantly.
The treatment gap remains severe. Experts estimate that India needs nearly 200,000 kidney transplants each year, but only about 13,500 are performed, meeting less than 6 percent of demand. Organ donation continues to be a major challenge, with the country’s donor rate remaining below one donor per million population. Doctors also pointed to diabetes, hypertension, obesity, high salt intake, unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles as major factors driving the rise in kidney disease cases.

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.”
As part of its World Kidney Day effort, Mankind Pharma said it is focusing on educational outreach and expert led discussions to encourage people to monitor blood pressure, blood sugar and kidney function through simple diagnostic tests. 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.”

The campaign also underlines preventive measures such as staying physically active, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, monitoring blood pressure regularly, following a balanced diet with controlled salt intake, staying hydrated, avoiding unnecessary use of painkillers and undergoing routine kidney function tests, particularly for those with elevated risk. Experts said timely screening, better lifestyle choices and stronger public awareness remain critical to slowing the progression of chronic kidney disease in India and globally.

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