The Irish Kidney Association (IKA) has welcomed the announcement of the initial prototype for the Irish Kidney Disease Data System (IKDDS).
IKA CEO Ms Carol Moore said the IKDDS is “a proactive initiative within the health service to effectively capture key information and improve the identification and management of kidney disease, which should lead to better outcomes for patients”.
In advance of World Kidney Day on 12 March, the IKA is highlighting the high prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and encouraging the public to learn about the risk factors and seek early testing.
CKD affects approximately one-in-ten adults in Ireland, rising to one-in-seven among those over 50. On its current trajectory, kidney disease is projected to become the fifth leading cause of death globally by 2040. Despite its prevalence, CKD is often described as a ‘silent condition,’ with an estimated 98 per cent of people in the early stages unaware they have it.
The risk of having CKD increases if a person has diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure, a family history of kidney disease, are over 50, or use certain over-the-counter medications long term. A blood and urine test undertaken by a GP can help assess kidney health. More information is available at www.ika.ie/kidneyhealth.
At the end of 2025, some 2,617 people were receiving dialysis treatment in Ireland, compared with 821 people in 2000. In 2024, there were 559 patients on the kidney transplant waiting list.
Ms Moore said: “Behind every statistic is a person and a family whose lives are permanently changed by kidney failure. There is a profound human cost to patients and their families – including the physical and mental health toll of treatment, emotional strain, and significant disruption to daily life. Dialysis treatment is already costing the HSE more than €300 million per year, showing the urgent importance of prevention and early intervention.
“Dialysis treatment is life-sustaining but demanding, and transplantation, while transformative, requires ongoing life-long specialist care. The burden on patients, families and the health service is significant. Early detection and prevention are the most effective way to reduce avoidable suffering and long-term healthcare costs. New treatments can often help ensure dialysis is not needed. Our awareness campaign highlights the importance of early detection and treatment. We ask people at risk this World Kidney Day to take charge of their kidney health and get tested.”
She added: “We welcome the development of the IKDDS as an essential resource for improving services for patients and we call for the prototype to be guaranteed multi-annual funding to ensure it can be expanded beyond a prototype.”
Prof Austin Stack, Professor of Medicine and Consultant Nephrologist at University of Limerick and University Hospital Limerick and one of the leaders in the development of the IKDDS prototype, said: “Early detection of chronic kidney disease is crucial to preventing progression and improving outcomes through timely intervention and effective management. The development of the Irish Kidney Disease Data System, under the governance of the Health Service Executive, brings Ireland to an important juncture and once fully implemented, will mark a significant step forward in strengthening how we understand and manage kidney disease at a national level, and aligning our services with international standards.
“High-quality, reliable data are fundamental to improving outcomes, enabling earlier intervention, and ensuring that health services are designed around population needs rather than reacting at the point of crisis. By enhancing how kidney health is monitored and measured, Ireland has an opportunity to shift from reactive treatment of kidney failure to proactive protection of kidney health.”
Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE, added: “I welcome the work of the Irish Kidney Association in raising awareness about kidney health while marking World Kidney Day. Chronic kidney disease is closely linked with other major health priorities, including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, and requires a coordinated, system-wide response in the health system including primary care. The establishment of the prototype Irish Kidney Disease Data System reflects the HSE’s commitment to strengthening chronic disease surveillance and evidence-informed service planning.”
The IKA’s awareness campaign has the endorsement of the HSE’s National Renal Office and the Irish Nephrology Society, along with the support of the Irish Pharmacy Union and various pharmacy chains across Ireland. The HSE is also amplifying the campaign’s messaging.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.