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ISLAMABAD, Feb 02 (APP):Pakistan’s healthcare system lacks the capacity to cope with the rapidly increasing burden of kidney diseases, making early screening and prevention an urgent public health priority, experts warned on Monday.
Speaking to APP on the sidelines of a three-day international conference organised by the Pakistan Society of Nephrology (PSN), its president Prof Dr Zahid Nabi said Pakistan ranks third globally in diabetes prevalence, with nearly 40 per cent of diabetic patients eventually developing kidney complications.
“If preventive measures are not introduced now, the burden of kidney disease will increase significantly over the next eight to ten years,” Dr Nabi said, stressing the need for a nationwide screening programme to ensure early detection and timely treatment.
He noted that chronic kidney disease places a heavy financial strain on patients and the healthcare system, adding that Pakistan’s economy is not equipped to manage the long-term costs associated with dialysis and transplants at a large scale.
Dr Nabi also emphasised the importance of promoting deceased organ donation programmes.
He said patients declared brain-dead following accidents and admitted to intensive care units could potentially save multiple lives if families are properly informed and encouraged to consent to organ donation.
The PSN conference, held every two years, was organised at an international level this year, with participation from around 15 foreign experts from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Kenya and Bangladesh, alongside local specialists.
According to Dr Nabi, the conference aimed to promote knowledge-sharing between international and Pakistani nephrologists, while providing young specialists an opportunity to learn from senior clinicians through research presentations and clinical discussions.
He said the presence of internationally renowned nephrologists was particularly beneficial for early-career doctors, helping strengthen professional capacity in kidney care across the country.
Dr Nabi warned that people suffering from diabetes, hypertension or those using painkillers excessively faced a higher risk of kidney disease.
He advised regular urine tests, kidney function tests and ultrasound examinations for early diagnosis.
He added that professional medical conferences play a crucial role in improving awareness and strengthening healthcare delivery, enabling young nephrologists to provide better care for kidney patients nationwide.