A National Treatment Protocol for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in primary healthcare settings has been launched, introducing a standardised approach to early detection, diagnosis, and management of kidney disease across the country.
The protocol was disseminated on Thursday by the Non-Communicable Disease Control (NCDC), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on the occasion of World Kidney Day 2026 at DGHS, in the city.
The protocol was jointly developed by NCDC of DGHS and icddr,b in consultation with Scientific Working Group, said icddr,b.
Chronic kidney disease is emerging as a growing public health concern in Bangladesh and often goes unnoticed until advanced stages.
According to a published paper titled 'Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Bangladesh: a systematic review and meta-analysis', nearly one in four people is suffering from kidney disease in Bangladesh which is higher than the global average.
Each year around 35,000 to 40,000 people progress to kidney failure, placing significant pressure on Bangladesh's limited dialysis and transplant facilities, it revealed.
Environmental factors such as water salinity, heat stress, and declining water quality are also increasingly recognised as contributing risks, particularly in coastal regions.
Under the framework, Community Health Care Providers (CHCPs) at Community Clinics will conduct screening for kidney disease, hypertension, and diabetes and refer suspected cases.
At Upazila Health Complexes, doctors will follow standardised guidance for diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of kidney disease and its major associated conditions.
icddr,b is also developing a digital system within the government's digital health platform, incorporating this treatment protocol to support primary healthcare providers.
"This protocol marks a turning point in how Bangladesh approaches kidney disease," said Prof Dr Sheikh Sayidul Haque, Additional Director General (Planning and Development) at DGHS.
"By bringing early detection and management to community and upazila levels, we can prevent thousands of people from reaching end-stage disease," he added.
Dr Aliya Naheed, Senior Scientist at icddr,b and principal investigator of the project, said early intervention at the primary care level can save lives and reduce treatment costs.
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