Chronic kidney disease costs Malaysia RM3.3 billion a year, with over five million affected but only 5% aware, prompting urgent calls for a prevention-first healthcare strategy.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is facing a fast-escalating kidney failure crisis, with the cost of treating end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) surging six-fold over the past decade to RM3.3 billion annually, placing mounting pressure on the country’s healthcare system.
MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said the sharp rise reflects a widening “silent epidemic” driven largely by non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes mellitus and hypertension, adding that Malaysia must urgently shift its healthcare focus from treatment to prevention.
“The most effective and sustainable solution is prevention. Greater emphasis must be placed on early intervention, including nationwide screening for high-risk groups and tighter control of diabetes and blood pressure.”
He also said the expanded use of SGLT2 inhibitors (prescription medications) marks a positive step, noting that the treatment not only improves diabetes control, but also slows the progression of kidney disease.
Mah said early detection efforts must be strengthened, with routine kidney function testing integrated into primary care, especially for high-risk patients.
“Detecting chronic kidney disease (CKD) earlier could delay or even prevent progression to ESKD, reducing long-term healthcare costs.”
On Monday, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said CKD has become one of the most pressing health challenges facing Malaysians today.
He said more than five million people in the country are estimated to be living with CKD, but only about 5% are aware of their condition.
He added that the prevalence of CKD has risen significantly, from 9% in 2011 to 15.5% in 2025.
He supported the Health Ministry’s “PD-first” approach, which prioritises peritoneal dialysis as a cost-effective option that could ease congestion in dialysis centres while offering patients greater independence.
Peritoneal dialysis is a treatment in which fluid is put into the stomach area to clean waste and extra water from the blood using the body’s lining.
However, he stressed that stronger patient education, improved home support systems and better incentives are needed to increase uptake.
Mah said Malaysia must accelerate efforts to expand kidney transplant services, which is the most cost-effective long-term treatment option.
“This requires boosting organ donation rates, strengthening transplant infrastructure, offering tax relief for donors and enhancing public awareness.”
He added that financial protection for patients must not be overlooked, calling for targeted subsidies, transport assistance and low-interest financing schemes to ease the burden on families, particularly amid rising living costs.
He highlighted the need for more sustainable healthcare practices, noting that dialysis, especially haemodialysis, consumes significant resources and generates substantial waste.
“A comprehensive, prevention-first strategy is essential to safeguard public health and the long-term sustainability of Malaysia’s healthcare system.”
