News

New Lancet paper outlines how countries can turn
WHO kidney health commitments into action

May 20, 2026

A new health policy paper published in The Lancet offers practical guidance to help countries implement the WHO kidney health resolution and strengthen prevention, early detection, and kidney care worldwide, as the burden of kidney diseases continues to rise.

As countries begin translating the WHO’s global commitments into national policies and health system planning, the need to move from resolution to action has become increasingly urgent.

The paper, “Implementing the commitments of the World Health Assembly kidney health resolution: a key opportunity to improve health for millions,” authored by an international group of experts, addresses this gap by outlining a step-by-step framework to put the resolution into practice.

International Society of Nephrology (ISN) President Marcello Tonelli said, “The adoption of the WHO kidney health resolution was a historic milestone, but resolutions alone do not save lives. Meaningful progress will depend on how Member States implement these commitments within their own health systems. This paper is designed to support that process by providing a practical approach to help countries identify priorities and advance kidney health in a measurable way.”

The paper highlights a phased and integrated approach, starting with governance mechanisms, national focal points, and situational assessment to help countries identify gaps and define areas for action. The authors stress that expanding equitable kidney care, from prevention and early detection through to kidney replacement therapy, will depend on financing, workforce capacity, and robust systems to measure outcomes and ensure accountability.

“Kidney disease is both a driver and a consequence of health inequities,” said Dr. Robert Kalyesubula, co-author of the paper and a member of the ISN executive committee. “In many parts of the world, people with kidney disease are still diagnosed too late or cannot access the treatment they need. Expanding access to early detection and timely care, especially in LMICs, is one of the most important steps we can take to reduce preventable deaths and health inequities.”

The authors emphasize that kidney care should be embedded within primary health care, noncommunicable disease (NCD) strategies, and universal health coverage, building on existing programs for diabetes, hypertension, and other NCD’s rather than creating parallel systems. They also call for sustained political commitment to ensure that global promises translate into improved outcomes and equity.

“This is a pivotal moment for kidney health globally,” said Aminu Bello, co-chair of the ISN-Global Kidney Health Atlas Core Group and a co-author of the paper. “The WHO resolution created a unique opportunity, and this paper helps show how countries can take the next steps to deliver real, measurable change for patients.”