On the occasion of World Kidney Day, health experts are urging communities to focus on kidney health and disease prevention. Observed annually, the 2026 theme—“Caring for People, Protecting the Planet”—highlights the need for patient-centred kidney care while promoting environmentally sustainable healthcare practices.
Growing Burden of Kidney Disease in India
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) continues to pose a major public health challenge in India. Experts estimate that nearly 12 crore people in the country live with CKD. Each year, approximately two lakh patients progress to End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESRD) and require dialysis or kidney transplantation to survive.
However, access to treatment remains limited. Only about 30 percent of these patients receive therapy, while many others face financial barriers or lack access to treatment facilities. As a result, nearly 1.5 lakh people die annually due to kidney disease, many of which could be prevented through early detection and timely intervention.
Sustainable Kidney Care: An Emerging Priority
According to Dr K. Anantha Rao, Consultant Nephrologist and Transplant Physician at KIMS Hospitals, the theme of this year’s World Kidney Day also emphasises the environmental impact of kidney care.
Dialysis remains a life-saving treatment for kidney failure; however, it consumes significant natural resources such as water, electricity and plastic consumables, while also generating considerable biomedical waste. Therefore, adopting environmentally responsible practices in kidney care has become essential to ensure sustainability for future generations.
Transplantation: A More Sustainable Treatment Option
Among the available treatments for kidney failure, kidney transplantation offers a more sustainable long-term solution compared with prolonged dialysis. Once successful, transplantation significantly reduces the consumption of water, electricity and medical disposables.
Consequently, doctors encourage greater awareness about organ donation. In Andhra Pradesh, the state government operates the Jeevandan Deceased Donor Transplant Program, which has improved access to organ transplantation. Citizens can also register as organ donors through the official Jeevandan website.
Furthermore, living kidney donation is considered safe because donors undergo comprehensive medical evaluation and only healthy individuals are accepted. Advances in transplant medicine have also enabled successful ABO-incompatible kidney transplants, meaning blood group mismatch is no longer an absolute barrier.
Environmental Impact of Dialysis
Dialysis treatment also carries a substantial environmental footprint. Each dialysis session requires approximately 120 litres of purified reverse osmosis (RO) water, which in turn requires about 240 litres of raw water. The reject water generated during purification can be reused for purposes such as floor cleaning, gardening and toilet flushing, thereby conserving valuable water resources.
In addition, dialysis consumables—including dialysers, blood tubing sets and other disposable materials—generate nearly 300 kilograms of biomedical waste per patient each year.
Innovations Toward “Green Dialysis”
To reduce this environmental burden, experts are promoting innovations in dialysis technology. Manufacturers are developing lighter and more efficient dialysers, biodegradable packaging materials and improved recycling practices.
When performed under strict safety protocols, the reuse of dialysers can also help reduce biomedical waste compared with single-use products. Moreover, manufacturers are working to reduce the carbon footprint of dialyser production by minimising polymer use and increasing recyclable plastic components. The installation of solar panels in dialysis units can further reduce the carbon footprint of dialysis services.
Globally, the concept of “green dialysis” is gaining importance. This approach includes energy-efficient dialysis machines, optimised treatment schedules that reduce energy consumption, shorter but efficient dialysis sessions and improved supply chain management to minimise packaging waste.
Prevention Remains the Most Effective Strategy
Despite these technological advancements, the most effective way to reduce environmental impact remains preventing kidney disease itself. By controlling diabetes and hypertension, encouraging healthy lifestyles and implementing community screening programmes, healthcare systems can slow the progression of kidney disease and reduce the demand for dialysis.
Importance of Early Screening and Community Awareness
Early detection of CKD can even occur at the village level. Primary Health Centres can screen individuals using simple and affordable tests such as blood pressure measurement, urine examination and serum creatinine testing.
Screening is particularly important for people above 40 years of age and for those with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease or a family history of kidney disease. In addition, healthcare workers should receive training to identify early kidney disease, initiate treatment and refer patients to specialised centres when necessary.
KIMS Kurnool’s Efforts in Kidney Care
At KIMS Hospitals, doctors are actively working to improve both patient care and environmental sustainability. The hospital regularly conducts community screening camps to detect kidney disease at an early stage and implements strategies to slow CKD progression.
As per the press release, the hospital also operates an active kidney transplant programme. So far, more than 80 kidney transplants have been successfully performed at KIMS Kurnool, making it the only hospital in the Rayalaseema region with a successful kidney transplant programme.
A Call to Protect Kidney Health
On this World Kidney Day, health experts urge individuals to prioritise kidney health through early detection, healthy lifestyle choices and increased awareness about organ donation. By adopting sustainable healthcare practices and strengthening prevention efforts, communities can protect both human health and the environment—caring for people while protecting the planet.