Currently, the picture of kidney disease in Bangladesh is alarming. It is roughly estimated that about 20 million people in the country are suffering from some form of kidney disease, and about 5 patients die from renal failure every hour. The only way to keep a patient with renal failure alive is either dialysis or kidney transplantation. Kidney transplantation facilities are very limited in Bangladesh and hardly exceed one hundred transplantations per year. On the other hand, dialysis treatment is so expensive that even 10% of patients cannot afford the cost; therefore, more than 90% of kidney failure patients die almost without treatment. 

These premature deaths can be prevented in nearly 60% of renal failure patients if the disease is detected in the early stages and appropriate measures are taken to treat the causes. Some data suggest that three main causes are responsible for more than 80% of renal failure in Bangladesh. These are glomerulonephritis, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. All of these are controllable with minimum costs. Other causes, such as stone disease, obstructive uropathy, and urinary tract infection, are curable if detected earlier. Most causes of acute renal failure are also preventable and curable if detected earlier. In addition to causing heart disease and brain stroke, major causes of death nowadays, these diseases are unfortunately scarcely addressed in this country. Diabetes is of epidemic proportion, and its prevalence will double in the next 25 years, particularly in developing countries like Bangladesh. This will place an enormous financial burden on countries, including the cost of managing end-stage renal failure. Thus, it is medically and economically imperative for awareness, detection, and prevention programs to be introduced in Bangladesh. Chronic kidney diseases in Bangladesh are not adequately addressed, mainly due to lack of clear knowledge regarding their magnitude and associated factors. The predominant cause of CKD in our country is glomerulonephritis, which is preventable and treatable to a large extent. Early detection and timely intervention are very essential.

A snapshot of the kidney-disease situation in Bangladesh:

● More than 2 Crore (20 million) people are suffering from any form of kidney disease.

● 14-18% of people suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD) in rural and urban areas, as revealed in some studies.

● 35,000-40,000 people die with ESRD (End-Stage Renal Disease) every year.

● 20,000-25,000 people suffer from acute kidney failure every year.

Treatment facilities available at present:  

● Only 120 nephrologists (kidney disease specialists) and 140 urologists (kidney surgeons). 

● Only 1 (one) specialized kidney institute at government level (NIKDU).

● Only 20 (twenty) dialysis centers are available in greater Dhaka city.

● A kidney failure patient has to pay at least BDT 10,000 (ten thousand BDT) per week for dialysis.

● There are only 5 (five) centers for kidney transplant in Bangladesh at present.

● 90-95% of kidney patients cannot afford treatment costs due to lack of financial support.

● Only 6 medical college hospitals can provide medical service for kidney patients.

● No structured kidney screening program.