Dr. Elliot Koranteng Tannor @elliotktannor is a Senior Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, a Consultant Nephrologist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana, and Founder of Kidney Health International.

Another year, another opportunity to raise awareness about kidney health! World Kidney Day, observed on the second Thursday in March, continues to shine a light on kidney disease and its impact on global health. This vital initiative, led by the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations – World Kidney Alliance (IFKF-WKA), underscores the importance of proactive kidney care in reducing the prevalence and impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

AJKD March 2025 cover celebrating World Kidney Day

This year’s theme—”Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early and Protect Kidney Health“—reminds us that prevention is the best cure. CKD remains a silent yet debilitating disease, often undiagnosed until its later stages when it becomes not only challenging to treat but also leads to devastating health and financial burdens for individuals, families, and entire communities. The high cost of kidney failure management in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) leads to premature mortality, disproportionately affecting individuals in their most productive years. Low socioeconomic status is a key risk factor for CKD development and progression, compounded by limited healthcare access, a shortage of nephrologists, poor health financing, and limited public awareness.

 CKD is a “neglected non-communicable disease” because public knowledge about it remains alarmingly low. While World Kidney Day is a crucial platform for education and advocacy, a single day is insufficient to drive meaningful change. Healthcare institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and governments must do more to promote year-round kidney health education and screening.

One organization leading by example is Kidney Health International in Ghana, which has launched a “Healthy Kidney Month” initiative. Through extensive social media engagement, volunteer training, and community outreach, they provide kidney health education and screening services throughout March. Trained volunteers extend these efforts into churches and community groups, ensuring kidney health remains a year-round focus. The initiative culminates in a large-scale screening event to identify at-risk individuals and prevent disease progression. Recognizing that a month of awareness is insufficient, they integrate kidney disease education into Diabetes Month (November) and Hypertension Month (May), strengthening the link between kidney health and other chronic diseases.

Free health screening and education for a community in the Ashanti region of Ghana to mark World Kidney Day

We must expand kidney care beyond tertiary centers. Integrating kidney health screening into primary and secondary healthcare settings is essential for early detection and intervention. Routine screening for high-risk individuals, including those with diabetes, hypertension, HIV, Hepatitis B, or a family history of kidney disease, should be prioritized. Chronic kidney disease awareness can also be increased by leveraging already existing programs such as diabetes, hypertension, and HIV programs to help identify at-risk patients early for interventions to prevent progression.

The good news is that simple lifestyle changes such as managing blood pressure, controlling blood sugar, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing salt intake, eating more fruits and vegetables, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol are crucial in preventing or slowing down the progression of kidney disease. We also have therapies that slow CKD progression, including renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) blockades, sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i), non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA).

To make real progress in the fight against kidney disease, we need:

– Stronger public health initiatives led by nephrology societies and healthcare professionals.

– Increased professional training for healthcare providers to improve screening and management of kidney disease.

– Greater investment in kidney disease prevention programs.

– Task-shifting strategies in regions with a low nephrology workforce.

– Full use of social media and digital platforms for continuous education.

World Kidney Day is more than just a date on the calendar—it is a call to action for all individuals, healthcare providers, communities, and policymakers to promote kidney health. A simple blood and urine test can provide crucial insights into kidney function, and regular screening for high-risk individuals can save countless lives.

Let us prioritize kidney health—not just on World Kidney Day, but every day. Ask those around you: “Are your kidneys OK?”