Discussion Held Marking World Kidney Day 2026
A discussion meeting was held marking World Kidney Day 2026, organized by the Bangladesh Renal Association. The event took place on Wednesday, 11 March, at the auditorium of the National Institute of Kidney Diseases and Urology in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. The meeting was chaired by Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Convener of the Bangladesh Renal Association.
Among those present at the discussion were Dr. Md. Zahirul Islam Shakil, Secretary General of the Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB); Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Kenan, Director of the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR); Dr. Md. Mehedi Hasan, Treasurer of DAB; Dr. AKM Khalekuzzaman Dipu, Senior Joint Secretary General of DAB; noted kidney specialist Professor Dr. Harun Or Rashid; Associate Professor Dr. Mezbah Uddin Noman; Dr. Md. Abdul Mukit, Treasurer of the Bangladesh Renal Association; and Dr. Md. Rezaul Alam, Organizational Secretary of the association, among others.
The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Shahnewaz Dewan, Joint Convener of the Bangladesh Renal Association.
Speakers at the event emphasized that while the treatment of kidney disease is extremely expensive, the cost of diagnosis is minimal, making early detection crucial. They noted that kidney treatment places a heavy financial burden not only on individual patients and their families but also on the state and society as a whole. Therefore, as guardians of public healthcare, the Ministry of Health must take appropriate measures to address kidney diseases effectively.
They further pointed out that diagnosing kidney disease is relatively simple compared with its treatment. A basic urine test can identify many kidney patients. If such diagnostic facilities and related awareness are made available at every Union Sub-Center, Upazila Health Complex, district hospital, medical college, and diabetic care center, early detection of kidney disease would become significantly easier, bringing treatment within reach.
The theme of this year’s observance is: “Healthy Kidneys for All: Care for People, Save the Planet.”
In his presidential remarks, Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam said there is no alternative to raising public awareness to prevent kidney disease, which he described as a “silent killer.” He stressed the importance of avoiding adulterated food, maintaining a healthy weight, and keeping high blood pressure and diabetes under control to prevent kidney disease.
Speakers also cited a systemic review of eight studies published in 2019, which estimated that 22.48 percent of Bangladesh’s population suffers from kidney disease. If applied to the country’s population of 170 million, the number of kidney patients would be approximately 38.2 million, and the figure is rising rapidly. Each year, 30,000 to 40,000 patients experience kidney failure. Nearly 80 percent of newly diagnosed patients die due to lack of necessary treatment or without receiving any treatment. Currently, kidney disease ranks as the eighth leading cause of death and is projected to become the fifth by 2040, raising serious concerns for public health and people’s well-being.
It was also noted that earlier, on 8 March 2026, a kidney disease awareness mobile open-roof vehicle was formally inaugurated at the banyan tree courtyard in front of Block B of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) ahead of World Kidney Day 2026. At that event, specialist physicians warned that failure to identify kidney disease at an early stage can cause severe harm to patients.
DBTech/MNI/MUM/OR
