WHO Admits Kidney Health Resolution...the first case for calling for a joint international response
Jun 02, 2025
The World Health Organization (WHO) officially adopted a resolution including promoting kidney health and responding to kidney disease as a major health agenda at the 「78th World Health Assembly」 held in Geneva, Switzerland on the 23rd (local time).
This is the first time that the WHO has designated kidney disease as an independent priority on the non-infectious disease policy agenda and called for a joint response at the international level, and is considered an important milestone in global kidney health policy.
The main contents of the resolution include ▲Early detection and prevention of kidney disease ▲Improved access to treatment ▲Enhanced integrated response capabilities across the health system ▲Established concrete measures to implement the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3.4 (reducing early mortality from non-infectious diseases) and 3.8 (achieving universal health coverage).
The adoption of this resolution is the result of long-standing efforts by various health-related stakeholders, including the International Kidney Society (ISN), kidney societies, medical experts, patient organizations, and civil society. In particular, while the prevalence of kidney disease is rapidly increasing in low- and middle-income countries, it is significant that the international community has officially recognized its seriousness and has taken action.
ISN President Marcello Tonelli said, "The adoption of this resolution is the result of Guatemala's leading role and WHO member states sharing their perceptions of the severity and global spread of kidney disease. The participation of diabetic and heart disease-related organizations in support of the resolution is a very encouraging sign that kidney health is a key pillar in responding to chronic diseases."
The ISN also emphasized the importance of follow-up measures, saying, "This resolution is just a starting point, and continuous investment and cross-sectoral cooperation from each country and practical support, especially for countries with weak health infrastructure, are essential to lead to substantial policies and implementation."
Chairman Park Hyung-cheon of the Korean Kidney Association stated, "This resolution marks a milestone for global kidney health and is a golden opportunity to reorganize Korea's kidney disease response system. We will continue to make efforts to strengthen cooperation with international networks and to reflect the purpose of this resolution in domestic kidney disease policies, research, and activities to raise public awareness."
This is the first time that the WHO has designated kidney disease as an independent priority on the non-infectious disease policy agenda and called for a joint response at the international level, and is considered an important milestone in global kidney health policy.
The main contents of the resolution include ▲Early detection and prevention of kidney disease ▲Improved access to treatment ▲Enhanced integrated response capabilities across the health system ▲Established concrete measures to implement the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3.4 (reducing early mortality from non-infectious diseases) and 3.8 (achieving universal health coverage).
The adoption of this resolution is the result of long-standing efforts by various health-related stakeholders, including the International Kidney Society (ISN), kidney societies, medical experts, patient organizations, and civil society. In particular, while the prevalence of kidney disease is rapidly increasing in low- and middle-income countries, it is significant that the international community has officially recognized its seriousness and has taken action.
ISN President Marcello Tonelli said, "The adoption of this resolution is the result of Guatemala's leading role and WHO member states sharing their perceptions of the severity and global spread of kidney disease. The participation of diabetic and heart disease-related organizations in support of the resolution is a very encouraging sign that kidney health is a key pillar in responding to chronic diseases."
The ISN also emphasized the importance of follow-up measures, saying, "This resolution is just a starting point, and continuous investment and cross-sectoral cooperation from each country and practical support, especially for countries with weak health infrastructure, are essential to lead to substantial policies and implementation."
Chairman Park Hyung-cheon of the Korean Kidney Association stated, "This resolution marks a milestone for global kidney health and is a golden opportunity to reorganize Korea's kidney disease response system. We will continue to make efforts to strengthen cooperation with international networks and to reflect the purpose of this resolution in domestic kidney disease policies, research, and activities to raise public awareness."
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
