The Philippines is facing a growing healthcare crisis as the number of chronic kidney disease (CKD) cases continues to rise. Dr. Juliet Chua Chong-Noel, a leading nephrologist, has warned that the country's healthcare resources may be depleted if the issue is left unchecked.
The rapid increase in CKD cases is straining the system, particularly through the high cost of dialysis. In the first five months of 2025, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) paid P161 million for hemodialysis procedures at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute. Hemodialysis was the state insurer's top paid medical procedure in 2024.
Dr. Noel warns that treatment alone is not sustainable, emphasizing the need for prevention through early screening and healthier lifestyles. She stresses that people should visit doctors before they even get sick and be proactive in getting check-ups.
CKD develops when kidneys are damaged over time, impairing their ability to filter waste and excess fluids. The disease often shows no symptoms in its early stages, making it difficult to diagnose. Dr. Noel identified diabetes and hypertension as the leading causes of CKD worldwide, urging people to have their kidneys checked as soon as they are diagnosed with diabetes.
Lifestyle factors are also contributing to the increasing number of CKD cases, including poor diet and lack of physical activity. Latest data from the Philippine Renal Disease Registry show that adults aged 20 to 59 now make up the majority of CKD patients, overtaking senior citizens.
Dr. Noel also warned against the widespread and often uncritical use of food supplements, which may pose hidden dangers to kidney health. Unlike prescription medicines, supplements are not subjected to the same level of rigorous testing and regulatory scrutiny, and many are not required to prove their safety or effectiveness through clinical studies.
She notes that while some natural ingredients may have health benefits, their effects can change when concentrated into pill form. Dr. Noel encourages the public to follow the eight golden rules of kidney care: control blood pressure, control blood sugar, have a healthy diet, exercise regularly, drink adequate water, stop smoking, don't abuse pain relievers and supplements, and get regular checkups.
With CKD cases continuing to rise and many patients remaining undiagnosed until they reach advanced stages, Dr. Noel emphasizes that prevention remains the country's best defense. She urges the public to take proactive steps to protect their kidney health and reduce the burden on the country's healthcare system.
