Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday called for urgent preventive measures, stronger public awareness, and lifestyle changes to stop kidney disease from becoming a silent epidemic. He warned that nearly 10% of the population is at risk of developing the condition.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the 54th Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Nephrology (ISNCON-2025) at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Yogi highlighted the state government’s commitment to healthcare funding since 2017.
“Today, the state stands for ‘one district, one medical college’,” he said, noting that Uttar Pradesh has expanded from 17 medical colleges before 2017 to around 80 today, serving a population of nearly 25 crore.
He added that access to kidney care has improved significantly, with dialysis centres now operational in every district. “There is no shortage of funds for treatment,” the chief minister assured.
Yogi stressed the importance of a balanced lifestyle to prevent and manage chronic kidney disease (CKD) and highlighted the need for strategies to protect children, who are increasingly at risk of kidney-related ailments. He also pointed to the role of chemicals, fertilizers, and pesticides in contributing to lifestyle diseases, including kidney disorders.
To address the root cause, the government has launched natural farming initiatives in 34 districts along the Ganga belt and has intensified actions against food adulteration, including the large-scale destruction of contaminated dairy products ahead of Diwali.
Highlighting the state’s progress, Yogi said Uttar Pradesh has moved beyond its “BIMARU” tag and is now a revenue-surplus state with rapidly expanding healthcare infrastructure. He also praised the state’s successful eradication of encephalitis within two years as a model of effective governance and targeted intervention.
The chief minister commended SGPGIMS for its contributions to kidney care and recalled the critical role of government hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that telemedicine integration helped save countless lives. Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, over 5.5 crore Golden Cards have been issued, providing citizens with access to affordable, high-quality treatment, including for kidney disease.
The four-day ISNCON-2025 conference, which began on December 18, brings together experts from around the world to discuss the latest research and technological advancements in kidney disease treatment.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak emphasized the importance of daily physical activity and disciplined routines to prevent chronic diseases. SGPGIMS director Prof RK Dhiman highlighted innovations such as interventional nephrology and robotic kidney transplants, which have improved success rates. The conference also features international experts and multiple workshops on advanced kidney care.
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