Kidney health for all

DAR ES SALAAM: EVERY day, your two kidneys quietly filter about fifty litres of blood. They remove waste, balance your body’s chemicals, and help control blood pressure. Yet most of us never think about them until something goes wrong.

On March 12, 2026, the world will mark World Kidney Day under the theme “Kidney Health for All: Caring for People and Protecting the Planet.” This theme carries a powerful message: everyone deserves access to kidney care, and the way we deliver that care must not destroy the environment future generations will depend on.

In Tanzania, this message hits close to home. Kidney disease is rising rapidly, driven by increasing cases of high blood pressure and diabetes. Studies show that between 7 and 15 percent of Tanzanian adults may be affected by chronic kidney disease, with urban areas like Dar es Salaam facing the highest burden. At Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, researchers found that 28 percent of hospitalised patients had some form of kidney dysfunction.

But here’s the good news: Tanzanian doctors, hospitals, and health officials are fighting back. They’re using new technologies, improving data security, and working to catch kidney disease early. At the heart of this transformation are experts like Professor Paschal Ruggajo who wears several hats as a consultant nephrologist at Aga Khan Hospital, Vice Dean at Aga Khan University ; works tirelessly to ensure patients receive the best possible care. As a seasoned medical educator; oversees training of human resource for kidney care and as the incumbent President of the Nephrology Society of Tanzania (NESOT), leads the efforts for advocacy and public awareness on kidney health.

Understanding the Silent Killer Kidney disease is often dubbed as a “silent killer” because it shows few symptoms until it’s advanced. By the time someone feels unwell, their kidneys may have already failed, requiring dialysis or a transplant to stay alive.

What causes kidney disease in Tanzania? The main culprits are high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes disease, both increasing rapidly across the country. Research from Dodoma found that among HIV patients, those with diabetes were four and a half times more likely to develop chronic kidney disease, while those with hypertension faced three times the risk compared to non-HIV patients and normotensive patients respectively.

Some projections suggest that by 2030, 70 percent of chronic kidney disease patients worldwide will be in sub-Saharan Africa, with Tanzania among the hardest hit. Yet awareness remains low, and many people never get tested until it’s too late.

This is where World Kidney Day plays a vital role. It reminds us all to check our blood pressure, test our blood sugar, and give our kidneys the attention they deserve.

How Technology Is Entering Tanzanian Healthcare Now, let’s talk about something that sounds like science fiction but is gradually becoming real: artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare.

Simply put, AI uses computers to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence—like spotting diseases on x-rays or predicting which patients might need urgent care.

What Is AI Doing in Tanzanian Hospitals? Across Africa, AI is beginning to transform healthcare delivery. In Tanzania, while still in early stages, several promising developments are worth noting.

One area where AI shows great promise is in reading x-rays. Tanzania faces a severe shortage of radiologists—specialist doctors who interpret these images. Many rural hospitals have x-ray machines but no one trained to read them properly. Patients may wait days for results, causing delays in treatment.

AI software can now analyse chest x-rays and flag potential problems like tuberculosis, pneumonia, or lung cancer within minutes. These systems are trained on millions of images and can spot patterns that even experienced doctors might miss.

In recent years, pilot projects have brought AI-powered radiology to several African countries, including Tanzania. These projects involve partnerships between Tanzanian hospitals, international universities, and technology companies.

Protecting Patient Information in a Digital World

As healthcare becomes more digital, a new challenge emerges: keeping patient information safe. When medical records are stored on computers, when x-rays are analysed by AI in the cloud, when dialysis machines send data to doctors—all this information must be protected from hackers.

This is called cybersecurity, and it matters just as much as the medical treatment itself. If hackers shut down a hospital’s computer system, patients could be harmed and lives could be at risk.

Tanzania is waking up to this challenge. A recent study at a hospital in southern Tanzania found incidents of unauthorised data disclosure and unintended use of patient information. The research identified three main problems: healthcare workers don’t fully understand data protection, they haven’t received enough training, and poor follow up and surveillance on end users..

As more Tanzanian hospitals adopt digital tools, cybersecurity must become a priority. Patients need to know their secrets are safe, and doctors need to know their systems won’t fail.

Behind all this technology are dedicated doctors who care for patients every day. One of Tanzania’s leading voices in kidney care is Professor Paschal Ruggajo.

Professor Ruggajo has been sounding the alarm about kidney disease for years. He points out that many Tanzanians have kidney disease without knowing it, progressing silently until they reach kidney failure. By then, treatment options are limited and expensive.

Further; Professor Ruggajo also champions solutions. He advocates for kidney patients to adopt highvolume hemodiafiltration (HDF) , a modern dialysis technique that offers better outcomes. Studies show HDF can lower overall mortality by 22 percent compared to conventional dialysis.

But challenges remain. Hemodialysis in Tanzania is costly and largely unaffordable for patients not under health insurance cover. Experts therefore embrace the advent of universal health coverage as well as promoting awareness, prevention, early screening and early referral for patients with progressive kidney diseases.

Professor Ruggajo’s work embodies the World Kidney Day theme: caring for people. He pushes for better technology and never loses sight of the human beings behind the statistics.

Small Steps, Big Impact: What You Can Do

While experts work on big solutions, ordinary Tanzanians can take simple steps to protect their kidneys:

• Drink enough water every day

• Eat a balanced diet with less salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats

• Stay active and maintain a healthy weight • Check your blood pressure and blood sugar regularly

• Avoid unnecessary medications—some traditional remedies can harm kidneys

• Get tested if you have diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney function at least once a year or more frequently if you have a positive family history of the same conditions. World Kidney Day on March 12, 2026 is the perfect time to start. Many hospitals and clinics will offer free screening and health education.

Looking Forward with Hope

Tanzania stands at a crossroads. Kidney disease is rising, but technology offers new ways to fight back. AI can extend the reach of specialists into rural areas. Community screening can catch disease early. Cybersecurity can protect patients. Modern dialysis techniques can save more lives.

And dedicated professionals like Professor Ruggajo ensure that Tanzanian patients benefit from global advances while receiving care that respects their local context.

The World Kidney Day theme reminds us of two truths: everyone deserves kidney care, and the way we provide that care must not destroy the planet. In Tanzania, these truths are guiding a transformation that will save lives for generations to come.

Your kidneys are small but mighty. This World Kidney Day, care for them, and encourage your family and community to do the same. Together, we can build a healthier Tanzania—Kidney Health For All…Happy World Kidney Day 2026.