First Chronic Kidney Disease Registry to Begin in Odisha

First Chronic Kidney Disease Registry to Begin in Odisha

Why in News? 

Odisha is set to launch India’s first chronic kidney disease (CKD) registry by March 31, 2026 to systematically record and track CKD cases across the state. This effort aims to better understand disease patterns and support targeted public health action.

What is Odisha’s Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Registry System

• About: The Odisha Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Registry is a new health database being prepared by the Odisha government. It is the first complete state-level registry for CKD in India. The purpose of this registry is to record and monitor CKD cases across the whole state. This registry will support better planning for treatment and prevention. Odisha aims to launch this system by March 31, 2026. 

• Development: The CKD registry is being developed under the direction of the Odisha Health Department. A special task force includes experts from national and state health bodies such as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the Odisha State Pollution Control Board, and other scientific departments. The government has also assigned the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to build the digital platform for the registry.

• Features:

• • Comprehensive Data Collection: It will record both early and late stages of CKD. This includes patients who are not yet on dialysis. Current data shows that only about 10% of known cases are dialysis patients. Most others are in early stages.
  • Real-Time Monitoring: Hospitals and clinics will update the system regularly. This will help health officials spot trends and outbreaks quickly.
  • Risk Factor Tracking: The registry will include information about disease causes such as diabetes, hypertension, and CKD with unknown cause. This will help understand why CKD affects certain groups more than others.
  • Hotspot Mapping: The data will be analysed to identify blocks or districts with high CKD rates. Special studies and surveys will be used to find environmental or lifestyle factors that may contribute to CKD in these hotspots.
  • Policy Support: The system will provide reliable evidence for public health planning and resource allocation. Health officials can use the registry to design screening programmes and early detection efforts. 
• Process: The registry will collect data from all levels of healthcare. This includes Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), district hospitals, and medical colleges. Each health facility will enter information about CKD patients into the registry. The digital system will be web-based and centrally managed so that health officials can monitor trends in real time. A state task force and technical working group will oversee the quality of data and make sure records are complete.

Why This Registry Was Needed?

• Rising CKD Burden in India: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has become a growing public health issue in India. Recent global estimates show that about 138 million Indians were living with CKD in 2023, making India the second highest country in the world for total CKD cases. This figure reflects a silent crisis where many people are unaware of their condition in early stages. This large number indicates an urgent need.
• Silent Early Stages Make Detection Hard: CKD often shows no clear symptoms in the first stages of kidney damage. Many people discover their condition only after the disease has progressed to later stages. This delay limits the chance for early treatment and increases the risk of complications like heart disease and kidney failure. A registry is necessary to find these early cases before severe damage occurs.
• Lack of Comprehensive Data in Odisha: Before the registry initiative, Odisha had limited information on CKD. Most available records came from hospital reports and dialysis centres only. These records cover only a small fraction of actual CKD cases in the state. Official estimates suggest that only about 10% of CKD patients were dialysis patients, while the majority were in earlier stages without regular monitoring. The absence of complete data made it hard to plan effective health strategies.
• High Local Prevalence in Specific Areas: Population studies in parts of Odisha have found higher CKD prevalence than national averages. In one research study from the Cuttack district, about 14.3% of people screened had CKD, and 10.8% had CKD without diabetes or hypertension. This means many cases occur without known traditional risk factors. These findings show the real burden in local communities.
• Rising Deaths from Kidney Diseases in Odisha: The state government has reported a significant number of deaths due to kidney diseases in recent years. Over a period of three years, around 4,857 people died in Odisha from kidney disease. This high mortality trend highlights the need for better understanding of disease patterns, improved early diagnosis, and targeted health programs to reduce deaths. 

Government Initiatives to Curb Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

• • Free Dialysis under National Programme: The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) was launched in 2016. It provides free dialysis services to eligible CKD patients in district hospitals and health facilities across India. The programme covers more than 1,600 dialysis centres in 36 states and union territories. Millions of sessions have been offered free of cost.
  • Insurance Coverage through Ayushman Bharat: The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) started in 2018. It gives serious patients access to cashless hospital care up to a high annual limit. CKD patients can get support for dialysis, hospitalisation, and transplant under this scheme. Coverage includes secondary and tertiary treatment at empanelled hospitals for low-income families.

• Affordable Medicines and Diagnostics: The government runs the Jan Aushadhi Scheme to offer low-cost generic medicines. These include drugs for diabetes, hypertension, and CKD care. The programme operates Jan Aushadhi Kendras nationwide and supports access to diagnostics and treatment supplies. 

• Primary Healthcare and Early Screening: The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) began in 2004 to track many diseases including non-communicable conditions. It strengthens early detection and monitoring at district and state levels. 

• State-Level Support Schemes: Several states offer special financial support for CKD patients. For example, Kerala’s Samaswasam Scheme provides monthly aid to people requiring regular dialysis. Maharashtra’s Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana includes coverage for kidney care and transplant costs under its public health insurance.