Shimla, June 9,
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is fast becoming a critical public health issue in Himachal Pradesh, with recent findings revealing Shimla district as the most affected region. A comprehensive study, conducted by medical students under the guidance of Dr. R.S. Ranta, Professor of Research at Himachal Pradesh University, has flagged an alarming prevalence rate of 39.9% in Shimla alone.
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The research analyzed records of 2,609 patients who received treatment at the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, over a nine-year period from 2014 to 2023. The survey was executed in collaboration with IGMC’s Department of Nephrology.
Dr. Kamakshi, Assistant Professor in the Nephrology Department at IGMC, stated that the most common causes of CKD in the region include hypertension, diabetes, elevated blood urea levels, and proteinuria (protein leakage in urine).
Beyond Shimla, the survey identified other districts with a high CKD burden, including Mandi (14.5%), Solan (10%), and Kullu (8.6%). Meanwhile, the sparsely populated Lahaul-Spiti district reported the lowest number of cases at just 0.6%, a trend attributed to healthier lifestyle practices and lower population density.
The study also highlighted a notable gender imbalance—60.2% of the cases involved male patients, while 39.8% were female. Age-wise, the majority of CKD cases (over 68%) were detected in individuals aged 57 and above. Alarmingly, nearly 17% of the patients were diagnosed only after reaching the end stage of kidney failure, limiting treatment options.
Medical experts caution that the rise in CKD cases is being driven by sedentary lifestyles, delayed medical intervention, and poor awareness levels. “Early screening, routine checkups, and lifestyle modifications are key to mitigating the burden of kidney disease,” Dr. Kamakshi emphasized.
With the incidence of CKD on an upward trajectory, healthcare professionals are urging the Himachal Pradesh government to adopt a proactive approach. Recommendations include initiating mass awareness drives, enhancing screening facilities in rural areas, and launching district-wise preventive strategies targeting high-risk populations.
The findings underscore the need for urgent policy-level intervention to curb the growing kidney disease epidemic in the state and prevent its escalation into a broader healthcare crisis.
