India’s Rising Kidney Disease Burden: Parliamentary Panel Flags Heat, Pesticides, Water Pollution

Published 11 August 2026 · politics

News india India’s Rising Kidney Disease Burden: Parliamentary Panel Flags Heat, Pesticides, Water Pollution India’s Rising Kidney Disease Burden: Parliamentary Panel Flags Heat, Pesticides, Water Pollution Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: August 11, 2026, 10:17 IST Committee asks central ministries, research bodies to study causes of kidney disease; recommends free dialysis at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and deeper Ayurveda research. Rapid Read The committee was informed that India bears one of the largest burdens of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) globally. A parliamentary panel has asked central ministries and scientific institutions to come together for nationwide research to understand the rising prevalence of chronic kidney disease in India, after finding a sharp increase in cases in recent years. According to the parliamentary standing committee report, seen by News18, tabled in the Lok Sabha, it has called for research into why people are developing kidney disease, including the possible role of heat stress, repeated dehydration, pesticides, contaminated drinking water and heavy metals. The 177th Report on “Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease in India" has recommended free dialysis facilities at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and asked All India Ayurved Institutes to undertake in-depth research on chronic kidney disease. It has made 66 recommendations that mark a rare shift in India’s approach to kidney disease, moving the conversation from dialysis-capacity expansion toward prevention, early detection and systemic accountability. The recommendations come as the country faces a large and growing burden of kidney disease. The committee was informed that India bears one of the largest burdens of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) globally. According to the ICMR report, India: Health of the Nation’s States (2017), CKD was the ninth leading cause of mortality in the country.

Need For Dedicated Kidney Health Program The panel has called for a larger role for the Ayush system – the system of alternative medicines such as ayurveda, homoeopathy, yoga among others – in kidney disease prevention and research. “The Committee understands that CKD poses a huge challenge; therefore, there is a need to generate public awareness and formulate policy for its control, early identification, diagnostic test and, treatment and long-term kidney care by strengthening integrated management." “Keeping in view the importance of Ayush system in preventing CKD, the committee recommends All India Ayurveda Institutes to undertake in depth research," it said while adding, “the committee desires that there should be facilities for free dialysis in Ayushman Arogya Mandirs." The panel has also recommended a dedicated Kidney Health Programme for people working in occupations considered to carry a higher risk, including agricultural workers, construction workers and factory labourers. It called for periodic screening of these workers, hydration facilities, shaded rest areas and occupational health education on kidney disease linked to heat stress, dehydration and environmental exposure. What Does The Data Show? The secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, told the committee that in 2017, India and China together accounted for nearly one-third of the global CKD burden, with India alone reporting approximately 115 million cases. Studies from different parts of India have reported CKD prevalence ranging from less than 1 per cent to 21 per cent, showing wide differences across regions. A systematic review published in 2025 and cited by the Department of Health Research estimated the pooled prevalence of CKD in India at 13.24 per cent, based on community-based studies. The review also found a marked increase among people aged 15 years and above, with prevalence rising from 11.12 per cent during 2011-2017 to 16.38 per cent during 2018-2023.