Your kidneys are two fist-sized organs that sit just below the rib cage on either side of the spine. They help your body perform many important functions such as filtering waste and excess fluid out of your blood, which are then stored in your bladder and expelled through urine.

Your kidneys also activate vitamin D for bone and muscle health, release hormones that help regulate blood pressure and red blood cell production, regulate your body’s pH, and maintain an appropriate balance of potassium and calcium in the blood. 

Every second Thursday in March is set aside to raise awareness on the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems.

Kidney disease means having kidney damage, and when the disease occurs over a long period of time, it is called chronic kidney disease- CKD. Chronic kidney disease can lead to a buildup of waste in the blood, weaker bones, high blood pressure, and an increase in the risk of heart disease and stroke. If CKD worsens, it may lead to kidney failure, which is treated with dialysis or a kidney transplant. 

Many people don’t know they have kidney disease because symptoms are typically not noticeable at early stages. Anyone can have CKD, but the risk is higher for individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, a family history of kidney failure, recurring kidney stones, or those aged 60 or older.

World Kidney Day (WKD) started in 2006 and is now a global campaign and an annual event that takes place worldwide.

For 2024, the World Kidney Day (WKD) Steering Committee has announced the campaign theme as “Kidney Health for All – Advancing Equitable Access to Care and Optimal Medication Practice”.

This theme focuses on equitable access to kidney disease screening, tools for early diagnosis, and sustainable access to quality treatment.

Over the last three decades, treatments for chronic kidney diseases (CKD) have centred on preparing for and delivering kidney replacement therapies. However, recent therapeutic breakthroughs offer unprecedented opportunities to prevent or delay disease and mitigate complications such as cardiovascular disease and kidney failure, ultimately prolonging the quality and quantity of life for people living with CKD.

Hence, the push for this year’s theme is to make these new therapies universally accessible to all patients, in every country and environment.

Barriers such as lack of CKD awareness, insufficient knowledge or confidence with newer therapeutic strategies, shortages of kidney specialists, and treatment costs contribute to profound disparities in accessing treatments, particularly in low-and-middle-income countries, but also in some high-income settings.

Kidney disease ranks as the 8th leading cause of death and if left unaddressed, is projected to be the 5th leading cause of years of life lost by 2040.

This year’s theme hopes to bridge these gaps by focusing on health policies, healthcare delivery, healthcare professionals and empowering patients and communities.

Raising awareness about CKD risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity; enhancing health literacy about healthy lifestyle choices and self-care; and promoting long-term adherence to treatment strategies can bring large benefits, especially when initiated early and consistently maintained.

To care for your kidney and protect your overall health, drink enough water, exercise, limit alcohol intake, quit smoking, don’t overdo certain medications and antibiotics, eat healthy, watch your salt intake, and get regular checkups.