Bangladesh has launched a new national treatment protocol for chronic kidney disease in primary healthcare settings, aiming to make early detection, diagnosis and treatment more organized across the country. Under the protocol, Community Health Care Providers at community clinics will screen people for kidney disease, high blood pressure and diabetes, then refer suspected cases for further care. At upazila health complexes, doctors will follow standard guidance for diagnosis, risk checking and treatment of kidney disease and its related conditions. The protocol was jointly developed by the National Centre for Disease Control under the Directorate General of Health Services and icddr,b, with input from a scientific working group, and it was presented during a World Kidney Day event at DGHS in Mohakhali. Officials say the new approach is important because many kidney problems are found late, when treatment is harder and more expensive. By moving care closer to communities, health workers hope to catch cases earlier and slow the progress of disease before it reaches a severe stage. DGHS Additional Director General Prof Dr Sheikh Sayidul Haque said the protocol marks a major shift in how the country handles kidney disease, because it brings early action to community and upazila levels. icddr,b Senior Scientist Dr Aliya Naheed said early treatment at the primary care level can save lives and reduce costs for families. The protocol is also being linked to a digital system on the government health platform, which will help primary care providers use the same treatment steps and support better follow-up. Training for health workers and monitoring systems are planned so the protocol can be rolled out across primary healthcare facilities nationwide in a steady way. The effort fits into a broader push to improve non-communicable disease care in Bangladesh, where conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes and hypertension often appear together and need long-term management. Health experts say this kind of system can reduce pressure on hospitals by handling more patients early in the care chain. If the plan is implemented well, the new protocol could help more people receive help sooner, lower treatment costs and build a stronger primary health system for future needs.
