Quezon City and Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines launched a citywide chronic kidney disease screening program, aiming to catch CKD before it reached its costliest, most damaging stages.
The program, “Iwas Dialysis, Ligtas Kidneys: Get CheCKD Habang Maaga Pa,” launched on June 22, 2026, in observance of National Kidney Month. It brought free screening, risk assessment, and patient counseling directly to communities across the city, with a focus on early detection before complications set in.
The need is significant. An estimated 13 million Filipinos, or 11.2% of the population, live with chronic kidney disease, and many remain undiagnosed until the later stages, according to a 2025 cost-of-illness study published in the Journal of Medical Economics. Kidney disease often develops quietly, without clear symptoms, which is why the program’s organizers are treating access to screening as the priority, not just awareness.
A citywide effort, barangay by barangay
The program has so far reached over 8,000 individuals through kidney health screening and assessment, with Quezon City accounting for nearly half of that total. It has rolled out across 21 barangays, concentrated in District 1, and recently expanded into District 2, where a pilot screening in Barangay Payatas reached more than 200 residents.
At the Quezon City Hall launch event alone, over 4,000 residents took part in screening, risk assessment, and counseling, alongside interactive health education booths that connected kidney health to heart and metabolic conditions, including diabetes.
Dr. Bin Wang, general manager of Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines, framed the program as a response to a gap between awareness and access. “National Kidney Month reminds us that awareness must go hand in hand with access to screening and preventive care,” he said. “Through Iwas Dialysis, Ligtas Kidneys, we aim to empower QCitizens to better understand their kidney health and take timely action when needed.”
Why early screening matters
Dr. Anthony Russell Villanueva, a nephrologist from the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, led an educational session at the launch, walking participants through the connection between kidney, heart, and metabolic health, and the role early detection plays in preventing serious complications.
CJ Luis of Dialysis PH Support Group, Inc. also spoke, sharing a personal experience with chronic kidney disease that underscored what the program is built around: the earlier someone screens, the more options they have.
Quezon City Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte pointed to that same window of opportunity. “Early screening of high-risk individuals can significantly delay chronic disease progression,” she said. “Here in Quezon City, we are committed to our shared advocacy of healthy kidneys, good kidney health, and, of course, early detection and prevention.”
Where this fits into a bigger push
For Boehringer Ingelheim, the program is part of a broader sustainability commitment tied to community health. “Advancing sustainability means enabling individuals and communities to live healthier lives,” said Augusto Muench, the company’s global head of sustainability. “When people are supported to prevent or better manage chronic conditions, they are better able to pursue opportunities, while healthcare systems are strengthened through a shift toward prevention and early intervention.”
The launch closed with a symbolic activity involving representatives from the Quezon City government, the healthcare community, patient organizations, and Boehringer Ingelheim, a gesture meant to mark a shared, ongoing commitment rather than a one-time event.
Residents with risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, or a family history of kidney disease are encouraged to prioritize regular check-ups and early screening. More information on chronic kidney disease and screening access is available at ItStartsWithYou.com.ph.
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