Chronic Kidney Disease Management in the Middle East and Africa: Concerns, Challenges, and Novel Approaches

Abstract

The burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and other comorbidities, such as hypertension and diabetes, which increase the risk of developing CKD, is on the rise in the Middle East and Africa. The Middle East and Africa CKD (MEA-CKD) steering committee, comprising eminent healthcare specialists from the Middle East and Africa, was formed to identify and propose steps to address the gaps in the management of CKD in these regions. The current article lists the MEA-CKD steering committee meeting outcomes and evaluates the available evidence supporting the role of novel therapeutic options for patients with CKD. The need of the hour is to address the gaps in awareness and screening, early diagnosis, along with referral and management of patients at risk. Measures to bring about appropriate changes in healthcare policies to ensure access to all benefit-proven protective therapies, including novel ones, at community levels are also vital for reducing the overall burden of CKD on the healthcare system as well as governing bodies, especially in developing countries of the Middle East and Africa.