Joseph Isangura
Tanzania is facing a growing crisis as cases of chronic kidney disease (CKD) continue to rise, prompting medical experts to call for urgent action to expand access to advanced treatment options.
Without intervention, thousands of lives remain at risk due to the high cost and limited availability of dialysis and kidney transplants.
Estimates suggest that between 7 and 15 percent of the adult population in Tanzania is living with CKD. The disease is particularly prevalent in urban areas, where the rate reaches 15.2 percent, compared to just 2.0 percent in rural regions. This disparity highlights the need for improved healthcare access, particularly for patients who have reached end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and require urgent medical attention.
Professor Blandina Ruggajo, a nephrologist and Vice President of the Nephrology Association of Tanzania (NASOT), has expressed concern over the increasing number of patients in critical condition. Speaking at a recent medical conference, she emphasized that kidney disease is often diagnosed too late, when a patient’s only options are dialysis or a kidney transplant. Unfortunately, both treatments remain inaccessible to many due to financial constraints and a lack of healthcare infrastructure.
Also Read; AIIB to Invest $1.5 Billion in
Africa’s Energy Sector
“One of the biggest challenges is that many people are unaware they have kidney disease until it has already progressed to an advanced stage,” Prof. Ruggajo explained. “By that point, the damage is severe, and treatment options become limited and expensive.”
Experts warn that the growing burden of CKD is largely fueled by rising cases of hypertension and diabetes, two major risk factors for kidney failure. Without early screening and preventive measures, patients continue to develop severe complications, leading to increased demand for life-saving treatments.
NASOT is advocating for greater investment in dialysis technology, improved access to affordable treatment, and awareness campaigns to encourage early diagnosis. According to health professionals, increasing access to modern treatment methods is the only way to prevent further loss of life.
