Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is no longer a health threat confined to older adults. Alarmingly, it is affecting Filipinos at younger ages, with roughly 12.94 million people living with CKD across the country—many unaware of their condition until it’s too late.
Known as a silent killer, CKD creeps in without obvious symptoms, damaging the kidneys’ ability to filter waste from the body.
In the Philippines, one person develops chronic kidney failure every hour. The disease often remains hidden until patients require life-changing treatments like dialysis or, in severe cases, a kidney transplant.
During a recent roundtable discussion, Dr. Greta Cortez, Head of Medicine at Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines) Inc., shared that kidney disease can start at any age, especially for those with inherited risks.
“Genetics make up 50% of who we are,” she said, emphasizing that if a person has a family history of CKD, they already carry a predisposition.
Doctors often recommend screening for individuals with such histories starting at age 30, but Dr. Cortez clarified that even younger people should pay attention to symptoms.
She described how CKD can remain unnoticed until it begins to affect daily life. For instance, a person may start to feel constantly tired without knowing why or notice a decrease in urination despite adequate hydration. “If you feel something is wrong with your body—no matter your age—it’s always best to consult a doctor,” she urged.
Beyond genetics, lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension and diabetes remain the leading causes of CKD. However, Dr. Cortez noted that even those without these conditions must remain vigilant, as kidney disease does not discriminate by age if underlying symptoms are ignored.
The heavy burden behind the disease
While CKD silently progresses, its impact is far from quiet. Aside from the physical toll, the financial burden is immense. Treatment costs, transportation expenses to dialysis centers, and lost income due to illness amount to an estimated PHP 592.15 billion in economic burden across the country. Patients with diabetes alone account for over half of these costs.
But the figures do not fully capture the human stories behind them.
Tana Juan, representative of Kidney Alliance Philippines Inc. and the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations (PAPO), shared how kidney disease deeply affects patients’ mental health and emotional well-being, extending its burden to family members.
Alberto Arbo Jr., representative of Dialysis Philippines, recalled how he hid his condition from his parents when he began dialysis. “I was alone during the first few months,” he said. This experience made him realize the critical need for family support, which keeps patients grounded and hopeful despite their struggles.
For Alvin Corral of the Kidney Transplant Association of the Philippines (KITAP), his journey began with a simple migraine—an unexpected symptom that led to a CKD diagnosis. Eventually undergoing a kidney transplant, he admits that dialysis left him feeling hopeless at times, highlighting the emotional toll that often goes unseen.
Shifting from awareness to action
In response to this growing health crisis, Boehringer Ingelheim has expanded its kidney care programs in the Philippines. The company’s Get CheCKD initiative promotes early detection through free screenings and health education, while its Kidney Disease Management for Primary Care Physicians (KDM4PCP) program equips doctors nationwide with updated guidelines for CKD management.
Most recently, on World Kidney Day, the KDM4PCP session in Zamboanga City trained frontline physicians to identify and manage CKD in its early stages.
Beyond treatment, the pharmaceutical firm works closely with various patient organizations, supporting their advocacy for education, emotional support, and policy changes to improve patient care. These partnerships include PAPO, KITAP, Dialysis Philippines, and Kidney Alliance Philippines Inc.—groups that amplify the voices of kidney patients nationwide.
Early detection can save lives
CKD remains one of the country’s most underdiagnosed health threats, silently destroying kidneys and livelihoods alike. But experts believe that with early screening, lifestyle changes, and strong family and community support, the disease’s impact can be lessened, if not fully prevented.
As Dr. Cortez emphasized, “Whether you have a genetic risk or not, if you feel something is wrong, listen to your body and seek medical advice.” For many young Filipinos today, taking that first step could mean the difference between life-long health and life-altering treatment.
