BANGKOK, Thailand – The Health Ministry launched a nationwide campaign that provided free dialysis, mass testing and a large public education drive to tackle a surging burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Rising toll on patients and the system
Thailand was facing what officials called an “alarm stage” with more than 1.1 million people living with chronic kidney disease, many unaware of their condition. Health Minister Pattana Promphat warned that the disease often produced no symptoms in its early stages and was frequently detected too late to avoid long-term damage.
“In the early stage the disease shows no symptoms. When it is recognised, it is often already too late,” he said, underlining why the ministry moved to expand screening and treatment access.
Around 75,000 patients had already progressed to end-stage kidney failure and required lifelong dialysis or a transplant, placing mounting pressure on families and the public health system.
Costly treatment prompts state intervention
Dialysis was saving lives but also driving up health-care costs, the ministry said. The new programme aimed to break the cycle by offering free dialysis and rehabilitation services across the country — from Bangkok to rural provinces — while also increasing early detection through wider testing.
Officials framed the measures as both a health and social policy priority, saying prevention and equal access to care were central goals.
Diet and common medicines under scrutiny
Authorities highlighted everyday habits that were accelerating kidney damage. A key concern was salt consumption: Dr. Amporn Benjaponpitak said Thais consumed an average 4,351 milligrams of sodium daily, more than twice the World Health Organization recommendation. Other contributing factors included inadequate fluid intake, frequent use of painkillers such as ibuprofen or diclofenac, and certain herbal remedies.
This combination was quietly driving chronic kidney damage, often without obvious warning signs, doctors said.
Prevention through small changes
The campaign, running until 2027 under the banner “7.2 million Thais know their risk,” urged people to cut salt, drink more water, exercise and attend regular check-ups, especially those with high blood pressure or diabetes. Kidney specialists stressed that modest lifestyle changes could have large benefits.
“Small changes today can save your kidneys tomorrow,” said Dr. Pakorn Tungkasereerak, a renal disease expert, encouraging early action and routine screenings.
A national push for earlier diagnosis
The ministry said the combined strategy — expanded testing, public education and free treatment — was designed to reduce the number of people progressing to dialysis-dependent kidney failure and to ease the financial burden on households and the health system.
Officials framed the campaign as a statement that health care should not be a luxury, and argued that early detection made kidney disease far more manageable. As the programme rolled out, Thailand aimed to shift resources from emergency care to prevention and to raise awareness among millions who may be at risk.