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 number one nephrologist has warned.
Speaking on 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’s the treasurer of the Philippine Society of Nephrology.
In the primary five months of 2025 alone, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) paid P161 million for hemodialysis procedures on the National Kidney and Transplant Institute. In 2024, hemodialysis was the state insurer’s top paid medical procedure within the country.
Dr. Noel’s warning comes as CKD cases proceed to climb nationwide. As early as 2021, data showed that greater than seven million Filipinos were living with the disease, with no less than one latest case recorded every hour.
Beyond dialysis, government spending has also expanded to cover kidney transplantation, with PhilHealth profit packages reaching over P2 million. And due to the continuous increase in patients, Parañaque Rep. Brian Yamsuan recently filed a bill searching for to expand CKD coverage even further.
Dr. Noel stressed that treatment alone just isn’t sustainable.
“What we would like is prevention. There ought to be more people going to doctors before they even get sick. We must 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 especially dangerous since it often shows no symptoms in its early stages.
Who’re most in danger
Dr. Noel identified diabetes and hypertension because the leading causes of CKD worldwide. She said that the moment an individual is diagnosed with diabetes, they need to already be having their kidneys checked. Other risk aspects include obesity, smoking, a family history of kidney disease, heart disease, older age, and being born small for gestational age.
Lifestyle aspects further worsen the situation. Poor weight loss plan and lack of physical activity are contributing to the increasing variety of cases — including amongst 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 residents (41%).
Hidden risk of supplements
Dr. Noel also warned against the widespread and sometimes uncritical use of food supplements, which she said may pose hidden dangers to kidney health.
“The mind-set is that if it’s a complement, it’s protected and has no unwanted effects. That just isn’t true,” she said. Unlike prescription medicines, supplements usually are not subjected to the identical level of rigorous testing and regulatory scrutiny. Many usually 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 undergo the identical process because they don’t claim to cure anything,” Noel explained.
She noted that while some natural ingredients like ampalaya could have health advantages, their effects can change when concentrated into pill form. “Once you extract it right into a pill, we don’t know anymore. An excessive amount of could cause toxicity; too little may not have any effect in any respect.” She added that potential impurities introduced during manufacturing may additionally harm the kidneys and liver.
Dr. Noel said the recognition of supplements has been fueled by social media influencers, often without scientific backing. “In science, testimony is the bottom type of proof. But it’s difficult when we’re up against influencers who’re more popular than us doctors.”
She reminded the general public to follow the eight golden rules of kidney care:
- Control blood pressure
- Control blood sugar
- Have a healthy weight loss plan
- Exercise repeatedly
- Drink adequate water
- Quit smoking
- Don’t abuse pain relievers and supplements
- Get regular checkups
With CKD cases continuing to rise and lots of patients remaining undiagnosed until they reach advanced stages, Dr. Noel emphasized that prevention — through early screening, healthier lifestyles, and informed medical decisions — stays the country’s best defense.