A Global Call to Action on CKD

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are now a major cause of premature death throughout the world. Not only do they cause preventable harm, but they also threaten to overwhelm healthcare systems. The WHO therefore aims to provide international leadership and an evidence base to encourage governmental action on surveillance, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. Whilst the WHO highlights heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease as important NCDs, they do not currently reference chronic kidney disease in their priority list. As such, international governments may be less aware of rising levels of chronic kidney disease and of the importance of prioritising strategies for prevention and treatment in this area. 

The UKKA's international sister organisation, the International Society of Nephrology (ISN), is now supporting a resolution to ask the WHO to adopt chronic kidney disease as another non-communicable disease priority area. This has the potential to support much-needed kidney care in low and middle-income countries that currently have inequitable access to dialysis and transplantation. In addition, in countries like the UK, a resolution like this has the potential to highlight the importance of CKD prevention and care - and to support its prioritisation on par with other diseases.

We are now asking for your help to ensure this kidney care resolution is passed by the WHO at its World Health Assembly meeting in May 2025 by signing a petition in support of this.   

Take Action: Sign the Petition Before the May 2025 WHA

This resolution represents a transformative opportunity to mitigate the global CKD crisis. However, it needs broad support to be successfully adopted and implemented. By signing the petition, you can help urge world leaders to prioritise kidney health and ensure access to life-saving treatment for millions of people worldwide.

There is a deadline for action! The resolution will be discussed at the WHO World Health Assembly in May 2025, so it is crucial to secure as many signatures as possible before then.

Sign the petition today: Support the WHO Resolution on CKD

Together, we can make a difference in the fight against CKD and move toward a future where kidney care is accessible to all. Your voice matters—act now!

How the Resolution Was Born

Guatemala, facing a significant health crisis with chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology (CKDu), took the initiative to draft a resolution addressing kidney health. Under the leadership of Dr Barnoya and Dr Randall Lou, Guatemala’s Ministry of Health, along with international partners, began advocacy efforts to bring kidney disease to the global health agenda.

In 2024, the ISN assisted Guatemala in refining the resolution and gathering expert feedback. Several key meetings took place, including discussions in Geneva with WHO officials and a crucial meeting in New York at the United Nations to gain support from global stakeholders.

By late 2024, the final resolution document was submitted to the WHO, and efforts to secure formal written endorsements from national Ministries of Health were led by SLANH and ISN, with a deadline set for December 20, 2024.

In February 2025, the WHO Executive Board began discussing the resolution as part of broader NCD strategies. While initial discussions saw limited direct mentions of CKD, strong support came from Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and Haiti. Procedural delays arose due to concerns about WHO funding constraints, but ultimately, on February 3-5, 2025, the Executive Board unanimously recommended that the WHO adopt the CKD resolution at the upcoming World Health Assembly (WHA) in May 2025.

Why This Resolution Matters

CKD is not just a medical condition - it is a global health equity issue. Many resource-limited countries lack adequate kidney care services, forcing patients to bear catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses or forgo treatment altogether. The disease disproportionately affects those with co-morbidities such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, further increasing mortality rates. Moreover, social determinants like pollution, climate change and agricultural hazards contribute to rising CKD cases, particularly in vulnerable communities.

Despite the urgency of the crisis, access to life-saving kidney care, including dialysis and transplantation, remains limited or unaffordable in many regions. The WHO resolution seeks to change this by advocating for integrated kidney care policies, improved financial protection and strengthened global collaboration.

Key Recommendations of the Resolution

The WHO resolution on CKD urges member states to:

• Integrate CKD prevention and management into universal health coverage (UHC) frameworks to ensure equitable access to care.
• Enhance early detection and diagnosis by incorporating CKD screening into national health systems.
• Improve multi-sectoral collaboration to regulate and expand kidney care services.
• Ensure access to essential medicines and cost-effective treatments that slow disease progression and improve patient outcomes.
• Prioritise kidney transplantation over dialysis where possible, given its better survival rates and cost-effectiveness.
• Raise public awareness through education campaigns that highlight CKD risk factors and preventive measures.
• Address environmental and social determinants that contribute to CKD, including climate change and pollution.
• Invest in research and data collection to develop targeted interventions based on regional CKD trends.

The Role of the WHO

As part of its commitment to combating NCDs, the WHO will:

• Advocate for CKD as a global health priority.
• Provide technical support to countries for policy development, implementation, and monitoring.
• Develop financing strategies to improve CKD care in low-income regions.
• Facilitate global knowledge-sharing on best practices for CKD prevention and treatment.
• Ensure that CKD care continues uninterrupted during health emergencies and humanitarian crises.
• Report on global progress biennially at the World Health Assembly in 2027, 2029, and 2031.