The Growing Crisis of Kidney Disease in a Warming World
Over the past decade, kidney diseases have surged globally, emerging as one of the fastest-growing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) cases increased from approximately 276 million in 2016 to about 674 million in 2026. Nearly 174 million people affected by the disease live in sub-Saharan Africa, according to a recent report.
While the rise in kidney disease is often linked to conditions like diabetes and hypertension, as well as aging populations, doctors are now observing a worrying trend: an increasing number of young individuals without traditional risk factors are being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. This shift highlights a growing public health concern that is closely tied to environmental changes.
Ahmed Hassan, a 32-year-old Sudanese farmer, is one such case. His journey began with exhaustion, which he initially dismissed as normal fatigue from long hours of work under the scorching sun. However, his condition worsened over time, leading to swelling in his legs, difficulty urinating, and persistent nausea. A hospital visit revealed that his kidneys were failing. What shocked the medical team was that Hassan had no history of diabetes or hypertension, two common causes of CKD. Instead, doctors attributed his illness to repeated dehydration and prolonged exposure to extreme heat—a condition now recognized as chronic kidney disease of non-traditional causes (CKDnt).
Dr. Jack Kileba, a medical doctor working with Bayer Healthcare, explains that traditionally, CKD has been associated with established medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. These conditions typically affect older populations, where long-term illness gradually impairs kidney function. However, the current situation shows how climate change is reshaping human health in subtle but significant ways.
As heatwaves become more frequent and intense, kidney complications are on the rise. Dr. Kileba notes that when temperatures increase, people sweat more, leading to dehydration and reduced blood volume. This can cause acute kidney injury, and repeated episodes may eventually lead to chronic kidney disease. The kidneys rely on a steady flow of blood and fluids to filter toxins from the body. Prolonged dehydration puts them under stress, leading to damage over time.
This issue is particularly severe among outdoor workers, such as farmers, construction workers, boda boda riders, miners, and casual laborers. For many low-income workers in Africa, taking breaks from the heat is often not an option. “We are realizing this is occupational,” says Dr. Kileba. “Most of the affected are outdoor workers, although research is still in its early stages.”
In Sudan, the crisis has intensified due to conflict, displacement, and climate shocks. Humanitarian organizations in Darfur and Khartoum have reported a surge in dehydration-related illnesses among displaced populations living in overcrowded camps with limited access to clean water. However, Sudan is not alone. Similar patterns are being observed in other regions experiencing rising temperatures.
In Central America, for example, the condition has devastated agricultural communities, earning the nickname “the epidemic of the sugarcane workers.” In India and parts of Sri Lanka, doctors have also noted an increase in cases among farmers exposed to prolonged heat stress. Experts warn that Africa could be next, especially given Kenya’s climate projections, which indicate rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves.
“If we do not succeed in mitigating climate change and introducing preventive measures, then unfortunately the number of kidney disease cases will increase,” warns Dr. Kileba. He adds that the threat extends beyond kidney disease alone. Extreme heat strains the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of hypertension and heart disease. Air pollution linked to climate change worsens respiratory illnesses, while changing environmental conditions are also associated with certain cancers and infectious diseases.
Despite these risks, kidney disease remains one of the least discussed climate-related health emergencies. Unlike floods or droughts, which produce visible destruction, kidney damage often develops silently. Many patients only discover the illness after irreversible damage has occurred.
For families, the consequences can be devastating. Treatment for advanced kidney disease is expensive and often inaccessible. Dialysis requires specialized machines, regular hospital visits, and reliable electricity—resources that remain scarce in many African countries. For poorer households, a diagnosis can quickly become a financial catastrophe.
Communities need greater awareness about the early warning signs of heat-related illness. Prevention remains the most effective solution. Governments must establish heat warning systems, increase access to clean drinking water, and enforce safer working conditions for outdoor laborers. Simple interventions such as shaded rest areas, scheduled cooling breaks, and hydration education could save lives.
“We must build systems that help communities adapt. People need to know when temperatures are dangerously high and what precautions to take,” says Dr. Kileba. However, adaptation alone will not be enough. As climate change is a global crisis, it requires coordinated international action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow global warming. Without urgent intervention, rising temperatures could trigger a new generation of climate-linked diseases across vulnerable populations.
