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Dr Vivek Khota view on Dialysis patients increased from 2020

Published on March 17, 2025

The number of dialysis patients in Gujarat has nearly doubled over the last four years, highlighting the urgent need for early detection and prevention of kidney diseases. According to data from the Gujarat Dialysis Programme (GDP) at the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC), the number of dialysis patient registrations has seen a sharp increase. In 2021-22, 2.73 lakh patients registered for dialysis, which rose to 3.49 lakh in 2022-23, 4.72 lakh in 2023-24, and reached 5.02 lakh by February 2025.

To raise awareness about kidney health, World Kidney Day is observed every year on the second Thursday of March. The theme for this year, “Is your kidney OK? Detect early, protect kidney health,” encourages people to recognize the early signs of kidney disease and seek timely medical help.

Reasons Behind the Surge

Dr. Vivek Khote, a Professor of Nephrology at IKDRC, attributes the rising number of kidney disease cases to several factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary choices, and contaminated drinking water. “Unfortunately, many people do not notice the early symptoms, which often leads to kidney failure and the eventual need for dialysis until a transplant becomes an option,” he explained.

Dr. Khote also noted that dialysis is available at 280 centres under the Gujarat Dialysis Programme. The number of dialysis patients has nearly doubled in four years. In 2022-23, around 22,000 patients received dialysis each month, which has now risen to 45,000.

He advises individuals experiencing symptoms like foamy urine, swelling in the hands and feet, puffiness under the eyes, or frequent nausea and vomiting to get tested immediately. Key tests include measuring serum creatinine levels, undergoing sonography, and assessing renal function.

Increase in Kidney Transplants

The rising cases of kidney failure have also led to a significant increase in kidney transplants. According to IKDRC data, 304 kidney transplants were performed in 2021, which grew to 388 in 2022, and 443 in 2024. Experts urge people to adopt proactive healthcare measures, lifestyle changes, and regular check-ups to alleviate the pressure on dialysis and transplant services.