In India, at least 16% of the population suffers from CKD. On eve of World Kidney Day on Thursday, doctors said there is need to create more awareness about the symptoms and encourage those at higher risk, for example diabetes and hypertension patients, to undergo preventive check-ups regularly.

According to Dr Rajan Mathur, who heads the renal transplant services at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) preventive health check-ups include urine test, blood test and abdominal ultrasound to detect any damage to the kidneys. "Dialysis and kidney transplants-the treatment available for kidney failure-are costly and unaffordable for a large section of patients. It is of utmost importance to focus on the preventive measures," he added. In India, younger people do not go for preventive check-ups, experts say. This results in delayed diagnoses.

"Most patients suffering from CKD visit hospitals when their kidneys functioning had already reduced to half of its capacity. If the disease can be diagnosed early, in stages I and II, the progression can be halted with medicine. Those with a family history of kidney failure, recurring urinary infections, diabetes and hypertension must get tested periodically," said a senior doctor.

He said CKD is also an important risk factor for peripheral vascular disease, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Approximately 1,75,000 kidneys are needed for transplantation in India every year to save the lives of patients suffering from kidney failure. Just about 4,000 transplants are conducted annually. Health ministry officials say more than 90% of the donors are family members. "There is need to promote cadaver donation to meet the growing need for kidneys to conduct transplants," Dr Dinesh Khullar, director, nephrology and kidney transplant medicine, at Max Hospital, Saket, said.

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