DHAKA, March 12, 2026 (BSS) - Experts at a seminar today stressed checking food adulteration and high blood pressure aiming to prevent kidney disease among humans.  

"There is no alternative to creating public awareness to prevent silent kidney disease. Adulterated food cannot be eaten, weight must be maintained and high blood pressure and diabetes must be controlled to prevent kidney disease," Bangladesh Renal Association convener Professor Dr Md. Nazrul Islam told the seminar.

Bangladesh Renal Association arranged the seminar at Shaheed Dr Milton Hall of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU) here this morning, marking the World Kidney Day 2026 with the theme "Kidney Health for All - Caring for People, Protecting the Planet".

The speakers called for increasing public awareness on kidney disease and expanding early detection and screening, including and strengthening kidney services in the primary health system.

They said if the universal healthcare announced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is implemented, there will be important changes in kidney disease prevention, rapid detection and treatment since kidney disease develops silently for a long time and it takes on a complex form due to lack of timely testing and treatment.

Citing the findings of a systematic review of 8 studies published in 2019, they said, the number of kidney disease sufferers in Bangladesh is 22.48 percent. 

If this information is correct in this country of 17 crore people, the number of kidney patients is about 3.82 crore and this number is increasing rapidly, the speakers said.

Every year, 30,000 to 40,000 patients suffer from kidney failure due to this disease, they said, adding that about 80 percent of new patients die due to lack of necessary treatment or without treatment.

Earlier, a procession was brought from the front yard of B Block of Bangladesh Medical University and paraded various parts of the university campus. 

The procession was inaugurated by Prof Dr Nazrul Islam.

Among others, Bangladesh Renal Association member secretary Dr Md Farhad Hasan Chowdhury, its treasurer Dr Md. Abdul Mukit, organising secretary Dr Md Rezaul Alam, joint convener Dr Shahnewaz Dewan and associate professor Dr Mezbah Uddin Noman joined the procession.