Rising kidney disease cases threaten to drain PH health resources

Expert urges early screening, lifestyle changes, vigilance toward supplements

The Philippines could exhaust its healthcare resources if the rapid rise in chronic kidney disease (CKD) cases is left unchecked, a leading nephrologist has warned.

Speaking at the Hisgutan Ta media forum in Cebu, Dr. Juliet Chua Chong-Noel said the growing burden of kidney disease is already straining the system, particularly through the high cost of dialysis.

“If we don’t do anything about it, we’re going to deplete our resources,” said Dr. Noel, who is the treasurer of the Philippine Society of Nephrology.

In the first five months of 2025 alone, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) paid P161 million for hemodialysis procedures at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute. In 2024, hemodialysis was the state insurer’s top paid medical procedure in the country.

Dr. Noel’s warning comes as CKD cases continue to climb nationwide. As early as 2021, data showed that more than seven million Filipinos were living with the disease, with at least one new case recorded every hour.

Beyond dialysis, government spending has also expanded to cover kidney transplantation, with PhilHealth benefit packages reaching over P2 million. And because of the continuous increase in patients, Parañaque Rep. Brian Yamsuan recently filed a bill seeking to expand CKD coverage even further.

Dr. Noel stressed that treatment alone is not sustainable.

“What we want is prevention. There should be more people going to doctors before they even get sick. We need to be proactive in getting check-ups,” she said.

CKD develops when kidneys are damaged over time, impairing their ability to filter waste and excess fluids. The disease is particularly dangerous because it often shows no symptoms in its early stages.

Who are most at risk

Dr. Noel identified diabetes and hypertension as the leading causes of CKD worldwide. She said that the moment a person is diagnosed with diabetes, they should already be having their kidneys checked.  Other risk factors include obesity, smoking, a family history of kidney disease, heart disease, older age, and being born small for gestational age.

Lifestyle factors further worsen the situation. Poor diet and lack of physical activity are contributing to the increasing number of cases — including among younger Filipinos.

Latest data from the Philippine Renal Disease Registry show that adults aged 20 to 59 now make up majority of CKD patients (57%), overtaking senior citizens (41%).

Hidden risk of supplements

Dr. Noel also warned against the widespread and often uncritical use of food supplements, which she said may pose hidden dangers to kidney health.

“The mind-set is that if it’s a supplement, it’s safe and has no side effects. That is not true,” she said. Unlike prescription medicines, supplements are not subjected to the same level of rigorous testing and regulatory scrutiny. Many are not required to prove their safety or effectiveness through clinical studies.

“A drug goes through years of research. Every component is measured. But supplements don’t go through the same process because they don’t claim to cure anything,” Noel explained.

She noted that while some natural ingredients like ampalaya may have health benefits, their effects can change when concentrated into pill form. “When you extract it into a pill, we don’t know anymore. Too much can cause toxicity; too little may not have any effect at all.” She added that potential impurities introduced during manufacturing may also harm the kidneys and liver.

Dr. Noel said the popularity of supplements has been fueled by social media influencers, often without scientific backing. “In science, testimony is the lowest form of proof. But it’s difficult when we’re up against influencers who are more popular than us doctors.”

She reminded the public to follow the eight golden rules of kidney care:

1. Control blood pressure
2. Control blood sugar
3. Have a healthy diet
4. Exercise regularly
5. Drink adequate water
6. Stop smoking
7. Don’t abuse pain relievers and supplements
8. Get regular checkups

With CKD cases continuing to rise and many patients remaining undiagnosed until they reach advanced stages, Dr. Noel emphasized that prevention — through early screening, healthier lifestyles, and informed medical decisions — remains the country’s best defense.