The public health impacts of chronic kidney disease in Sub-Saharan Africa: A call for action

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is becoming a significant area of concern in sub-Saharan Africa, as it is increasing in prevalence rates, deaths and has substantial economic and health costs. Even with the progress made in infectious disease control, CKD poses a danger of undoing health and economic progress, especially as the region grapples with weak health systems and limited resources. This is further burdened by the lack of standardized diagnostic criteria, weak epidemiological data, and inadequate recognition of CKD in primary care, which leads to late identification and unfavorable outcomes. There is an extreme economic burden as the cost of treatment is very high compared to average incomes, and out-of-pocket expenses are usually catastrophic. There is poor healthcare infrastructure, such as nephrology workforce, and dialysis capacity, which have contributed to health disparities, particularly in rural regions. Health policies at the national level rarely give priority to CKD, which also reduces access to healthcare and financial security. These challenges can only be solved through coordinated policy efforts, enhanced data systems, early detection policies, and the need to integrate the management of CKD with primary care.