Abstract
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a major and rising public health issue in India that affects almost 17% of the adult population. The recent treatment issues with CKD patients in India from 2023 to 2025 are investigated in this paper based on the results of a number of recent studies. The five important challenges are recognized to be: restricted access to early diagnosis and nephrology treatment, low affordability of transplant and dialysis treatment, fragmentation between public and private sectors, poor mental health and nutritional treatment, and post-COVID-19 systemic disruptions.
Despite programs such as the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program and Ayushman Bharat, knowledge and implementation gaps, especially among rural and deprived populations, prevail. Out-of-pocket costs, long travel to reach treatment sites, substandard trained staff, and unpredictable frequencies of dialysis are endured by patients. There is social stigma, lack of awareness of CKD, and inadequate incorporation of mental health or dietary counseling within care as well. The article also highlights the economic and psychological cost of the treatment disruption during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
This paper integrates current policy reviews, epidemiological data, and clinical practice with a qualitative synthesis approach. Suggested interventions include the development of nephrology facilities, initiation of national screening, insurance reform, and the inclusion of holistic, patient-focused care models. Without an imminent multisectoral intervention, the CKD burden in India will rise, worsening morbidity and increasing health disparities.
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