In Bangladesh, CKD represents a growing but under-recognized public health emergency. Estimates suggest that 16 to 22 percent of the population may be affected, with some systematic reviews suggesting a prevalence higher than 22 percent. With a population of over 170 million, this means millions of people are living with some stage of kidney disease.
Each year, approximately 35,000 to 40,000 patients reach end-stage kidney disease. However, treatment capacity remains severely constrained. There are only a few hundred nephrologists and less than 200 dialysis centers in the country, most of which are concentrated in major cities. As a result, geographic and financial barriers significantly limit access.
Hemodialysis remains the predominant treatment method, while peritoneal dialysis is less used. Kidney transplant rates remain low, about 1 to 1.2 per million population, well below the global average. It is estimated that only 10 to 20 percent of patients who require renal replacement therapy receive it.